The Oklahoma Sooners have been busy in the transfer portal this offseason, with significant moves aiming to revitalize their struggling offense. The most notable addition came just before Christmas when quarterback John Mateer made the jump from Washington State, reuniting with his former offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. Mateer has been the headliner of a transfer class that currently ranks 12th nationally according to 247Sports, indicating a concerted effort by the Sooners to elevate their game.
Just this week, another exciting name entered the fray: running back Jaydn Ott, who navigated a whirlwind 24-hour transfer journey before committing to Oklahoma. Adding a talent like Ott, who earned 2023 All-American and Pac-12 first-team honors, is a much-needed boost for an offense that desperately needs it. If you’re keeping track, Oklahoma could arguably utilize a couple more of these boosts to get back on track.
Now, let’s take a closer look at how the Sooners’ offense fared in 2024, shall we? The stats tell a telling story:
- Points Per Game: 24.0 (97th nationally)
- Yards Per Play: 4.8 (123rd)
- Points per Drive: 1.76 (112th)
- Success Rate: 38.9% (111th)
- EPA per Snap: -0.10 (124th)
- Explosive Play Rate: 8.9% (131st)
- 3 & Out Rate: 32.5% (89th)
- Negative Play Rate: 32.2% (89th)
- Pressure Rate Allowed: 41.2% (121st)
- Turnover Rate: 12.5% (83rd)
That’s a recipe for frustration! Ott himself had a rough 2024 season marred by injuries that saw his stats tumble. Now, the hope is that a change of scenery at Oklahoma can help turn things around for both Boh in the Sooner uniform.
But will this new pairing of Mateer and Ott really be enough to lift Oklahoma out of the offensive doldrums? Sure, Ott is a dynamic player, and fans should feel optimistic about his potential impact. Together with Mateer in the backfield, they could form a potent duo, but unless the Sooners address broader issues, the offense may remain stuck.
In watching last season’s performance, it’s clear that skill talent was not the main culprit—though a revolving door of injuries among receivers certainly didn’t help. Jackson Arnold, once a beacon of hope for Sooner fans, didn’t quite meet the lofty expectations set after former QB Dillon Gabriel led Oregon to a Big Ten title. It wasn’t solely on Arnold’s shoulders; the quarterback change to Michael Hawkins later in the season didn’t magically solve the offense’s woes.
Now, let’s not forget about the run game. While there’s depth in the backfield with Ott’s addition, without a solid offensive line, it’s tough to envision meaningful improvement. The stats reflect just how badly this unit struggled in 2024, earning a pass-blocking grade of only 62.9 (ranking 92nd nationally) and a dismal run-blocking grade of 55.6 (109th nationally). It’s clear: if the line doesn’t improve, the flashes of talent in skill positions won’t mean a whole lot.
To bolster this crucial area, Oklahoma recently added former Stanford offensive lineman Jake Maikkula, who joins fellow Cardinal alum Luke Baklenko. The Sooners also welcomed four-star tackle Derek Simmons from Western Carolina in December and secured four offensive line commitments in the 2025 recruiting class, including standout five-star prospect Michael Fasusi and four-star Ryan Fodje. Oklahoma is clearly emphasizing the need to rebuild its offensive line for the future.
The success of this revamped offensive line will likely dictate how well the Sooners perform this coming season. Given last season’s woes—culminating in a 6-7 record and a 2-6 mark in SEC play, with several disappointing defeats to teams like Texas, South Carolina, and LSU—it’s tough to project the Sooners as immediate contenders. With difficult matchups ahead, including Michigan and road trips to South Carolina, Tennessee, and Alabama, alongside the traditional rivalry with Texas, the path to success remains daunting.
However, with Mateer at the helm, and with Ott and a hopefully healthy receiving corps, the Sooners could become more competitive on the field this upcoming season. Realistically, if everything lines up just right and injuries stay away, an eight or nine-win season might be on the table. If not, fans may find themselves once again holding their breath for bowl eligibility. The journey for this Oklahoma squad is just beginning, and one can feel the anticipation in the air for what lies ahead.
