In a significant move that’s shaking up the college football landscape, John Mateer, the standout quarterback from Washington State, has committed to joining Oklahoma. This decision, announced by Mateer on social media, comes after a phenomenal season where he showcased his impressive dual-threat capabilities.
Ranked as the No. 1 overall player in ESPN’s transfer rankings, Mateer’s decision to join the Sooners is no surprise considering Oklahoma’s strategic moves. Earlier this month, Oklahoma brought on Washington State’s offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, and quarterbacks coach, John Kuceyeski. This recruitment added momentum to the speculation that Oklahoma was in pole position to land Mateer. Despite a strong push from Miami, the Sooners secured his commitment.
During his debut season as a starter in 2024, Mateer made waves with 3,139 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, boasting a 65% completion rate. His versatility on the field is reflected in his rushing stats, where he ranked sixth among FBS quarterbacks with 827 rushing yards and a remarkable 15 touchdowns. His performance earned him a top-10 QBR among Group of 5 starters, demonstrating his all-around impact on the field.
The 6-foot-1, 219-pound redshirt sophomore burst onto the scene after backing up Cam Ward for two years, guiding Washington State to an impressive 8-1 start before the team faced a tough close to the season. Despite these late struggles, Mateer helped elevate the Cougars to No. 18 in the College Football Playoff rankings at their peak.
Oklahoma is looking to Mateer to fill a critical gap in their roster after their starting quarterback, Jackson Arnold, transferred to Auburn. The timing of Mateer’s transfer aligns with the arrival of Arbuckle, who stepped in as offensive coordinator following the dismissal of Seth Littrell. This duo is primed to lead Oklahoma through a revitalization as the team seeks to strengthen its offensive game in 2025.
Mateer, originally from Little Elm, Texas, took an unconventional path to this powerhouse program. Initially committed to an FCS school, Central Arkansas, Mateer’s talents were later recognized by Washington State, and he hasn’t looked back since. Washington State coach Jake Dickert, who accepted the head coaching role at Wake Forest, reflected on Mateer’s desire to “play on a bigger stage” as a core reason behind his transfer.
As Oklahoma embarks on its journey as a newly-minted SEC member, the program is counting on Mateer’s prowess to overcome a challenging year in which they finished with a 6-6 record, including a struggle in SEC play. The Sooners’ ranking of 94th nationally in scoring offense underscores the urgent need for a turnaround, one they hope Mateer and Arbuckle can spearhead.
With a final matchup against Navy in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 27, Oklahoma is set to have freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. start the game. However, all eyes are increasingly on what Mateer will bring to the Sooners in the upcoming seasons. As the program prepares for another season, the anticipation is building around Mateer’s potential to elevate Oklahoma back to its storied prominence.
