Tag: John Mateer

Oklahoma retains QB John Mateer, LB Kip Lewis

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The University of Oklahoma announced Thursday night on social media that quarterback John Mateer and linebacker Kip Lewis will return in 2026.

Mateer, who transferred from Washington State to Oklahoma prior to the 2025 season, completed 62.2% percent of his passes for 2,885 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also rushed for 431 yards and a team-high eight scores as the Sooners’ 10-3 season ended with a College Football Playoff first-round home loss to Alabama.

Mateer broke a bone in his throwing hand against Auburn on Sept. 20 and underwent surgery, yet he missed just one game as he returned at least one week sooner than estimated. He threw for eight touchdowns and eight interceptions in his eight games following the surgery.

Lewis, who also wore No. 10 for Oklahoma, produced a team-high 76 tackles for the SEC’s stingiest defense. The rising senior recorded 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, five quarterback hits and four pass breakups for a Sooners unit that allowed just 15.2 points per game.

–Field Level Media

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer (10).

Report: Oklahoma QB John Mateer pushing to return vs. Texas

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer is pushing to return for Saturday’s rivalry game against Texas, ESPN reported on Tuesday.

Mateer had surgery on Sept. 24 on his right (throwing) hand after sustaining a broken bone during a 24-17 win against then-No. 22 Auburn on Sept. 20. The initial recovery timeline was estimated at one month.

The sixth-ranked Sooners (5-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) have only played one game since then, with backup Michael Hawkins Jr. leading a 44-0 win against Kent State last Saturday in Norman, Okla.

If Mateer can’t go, Hawkins would start Saturday’s Red River Rivalry game in Dallas against quarterback Arch Manning and the Longhorns (3-2, 0-1).

“I don’t know when John Mateer will be back, really not even anything to talk about,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said Monday. “He’s on a progression through however long it takes those injuries to heal.”

A Washington State transfer, Mateer became the early Heisman Trophy frontrunner before the injury. He passed for 1,215 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions and rushed for 190 yards and five scores in four games. The redshirt junior also led OU to a 24-13 victory against then-No. 15 Michigan on Sept. 6.

–Field Level Media

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer (10) throws a pass during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday,Sept. 20, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-17.

Oklahoma QB, Heisman frontrunner John Mateer to miss time due to hand surgery

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Oklahoma quarterback and early Heisman frontrunner John Mateer will undergo surgery to address a right-hand injury he suffered in the first quarter of last week’s victory over Auburn, the school announced on Tuesday.

OU head coach Brent Venables says the expectation is that Mateer will be able to return to action sometime this season.

“After consulting with medical experts, it became clear that surgery is the best option for John and his short- and long-term future,” Venables said. “He’s extremely disappointed he will miss some game action but is eager to correct the issue and move forward. As he is with everything, we know he will be aggressive with his rehabilitation and work to return to the field as quickly as possible.”

Mateer, a redshirt junior, has been a revelation for the Sooners’ offense since transferring in from Washington State this offseason to join former WSU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle in Norman. Through No. 7 Oklahoma’s 4-0 start, including wins over Michigan and Auburn, Mateer has thrown for 1,215 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions while rushing for 190 yards and four scores.

Over his last 16 games across the 2024-25 seasons, Mateer has thrown for 4,354 yards, rushed for 1,016 and accounted for 55 touchdowns (35 passing, 20 rushing). He entered this week with the best odds to win the Heisman Trophy (+700), according to BetMGM.

In Mateer’s absence, Oklahoma announced that sophomore Michael Hawkins Jr. will be the team’s starting QB for the time being. Hawkins started four games and appeared in seven last year as a true freshman, throwing for 783 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions and rushing for 204 yards and a score.

“We have all the confidence in the world in Michael and are excited for his opportunity to lead our offense while John recovers,” Venables said. “He had some big moments for us last season as a true freshman and has just gotten better and better. I’m proud of the work Michael’s put in and the progress he’s made, and know he will attack this opportunity to help lead our football team.”

The Sooners are off this week and return to action next week vs. Kent State (1-3) before taking on rival Texas on Oct. 11 in the Red River Rivalry in Dallas.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback John Mateer (10) walks off the field after a game against the Wyoming Cowboys at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Washington State Cougars won 15-14. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images

Former Wazzu QB John Mateer transferring to Oklahoma

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Washington State standout John Mateer, one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the country, is transferring to Oklahoma, he announced Wednesday evening on social media.

Widely considered the best player available when he entered the transfer portal on Monday, Mateer is following former Cougars offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who was hired by Oklahoma earlier this month, as well as quarterbacks coach John Kuceyeski, who is expected to join him.

The Sooners, who lost starting QB Jackson Arnold to Auburn through the transfer portal, were regarded as the front-runners for Mateer. Miami, where former Washington State QB Cam Ward starred this season, became a Heisman Trophy finalist and is entering the NFL Draft, also was considered a potential landing spot.

Mateer, who waited behind Ward at Washington State for two years, is a redshirt sophomore with two seasons of eligibility remaining. He led the FBS in total touchdowns (44) in his first season as a starter in 2024, compiling 3,139 yards with 29 touchdown passes and seven interceptions and rushing for 826 yards with 15 scores in 12 games.

Washington State head coach Jake Dickert left his job to become Wake Forest’s head coach on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Corvallis, Oregon, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback John Mateer (10) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Oregon State Beavers at Reser Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

Washington State QB John Mateer enters portal with high interest

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Washington State quarterback John Mateer entered the transfer portal on Monday and is widely considered the best player available at the time of his decision.

“John will be the most sought-after player in the portal. I think he’s gonna be the best player in the country next year. He informed us he is in fact going to hit the portal,” Washington State coach Jake Dickert said Monday.

Mateer led the FBS in total touchdowns (44) in his first season as a starter in 2024, compiling 3,139 yards with 29 touchdown passes and seven interceptions and rushing for 826 yards with 15 scores.

Mateer, who transfers with two years eligibility remaining, stepped into the starting spot when Cam Ward opted to transfer to Miami, where he became a Heisman Trophy finalist this season.

Washington State was the only Division I offer Mateer received coming out of Little Elm, Texas, but Ward said his talent was abundantly clear from the time he hit campus.

“I’m excited for him,” Ward said before the Heisman ceremony of Mateer. “He sat behind me for two years and me and John (were) just locked in, locked in for life. And I can just tell the biggest thing he got better at over the course of the season was staying in the pocket and winning from the pocket even more down the stretch. He’s accurate with the football. I think he’ll end up being one of the best quarterbacks in the country next year.”

–Field Level Media