In a development that feels more like a matter of destiny than surprise, Washington State quarterback John Mateer is charting a new path.
Sources have confirmed that Mateer has informed Washington State head coach Jake Dickert of his decision to transfer, with anticipation building around an eventual entry into the portal listed with a no-contact tag. For Sooner fans, this news is resonating loudly in Norman, hinting that Mateer’s compass might be pointing towards Oklahoma.
Mateer, a Dallas-Fort Worth native, seems to have a natural calling to Oklahoma, especially once whispers linked him to Ben Arbuckle’s new role. Arbuckle, who has proven himself as a tactical genius in his years at Washington State, has now taken up the mantle of Oklahoma’s offensive play-caller. It’s understandable why the prospect of reuniting with Arbuckle is setting off fireworks among Sooner fans.
Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing in at 219 pounds, Mateer isn’t just a seasoned quarterback—he’s a dynamo. In the 2024 season, he managed to throw for an impressive 3,139 yards, rushed for 826, and topped the FBS charts with 44 total touchdowns. Quite a feat for someone who was stepping into his first year as a starter, taking over after Cam Ward’s transfer to Miami.
Mateer’s journey from a two-star recruit at Little Elm High School, Texas, to a potential game-changer at Oklahoma brings two more years of eligibility into play. If Mateer joins the Sooners, he’ll find himself in a riveting quarterback duel with Michael Hawkins, a rising sophomore. Hawkins, who earned his stripes with three starts as a freshman, is slotted for the starting gig against Navy in the Dec. 27 bowl game.
The Sooners have been revamping their quarterback lineup—a necessity highlighted when Jackson Arnold transferred to Auburn, and Brendan Zurbrugg also decided to explore other opportunities via the portal. Despite these moves, Hawkins is sticking to his guns in Norman, embracing the competitive spirit.
“I love competition,” Hawkins candidly stated. “That’s just how it should be. I’m all about competition. I think we need another guy here. I’m ready… I’m gonna be at Oklahoma. This is where I want to be.”
Should Mateer indeed make Norman his new home, he’ll enter a QB room alongside Hawkins and Jett Niu, an incoming freshman who recently flipped his commitment from Oklahoma State. This potential lineup positions the Sooners to nurture a robust quarterback roster as they gear up for future campaigns.
With Mateer officially entering the portal this morning, a commitment from Mateer might be the catalyst the program needs to bolster other key positions, considering their only portal acquisitions so far have been punter Jacob Ulrich from Kennesaw State and OL Luke Baklenko from Stanford. The coming weeks could be pivotal in shaping the team’s trajectory.
