In the summer of 2021, John Mateer embarked on the program of the Central Arkansas FCS, because no one considered him as a major quarter.
A downgrading five months later and a possible signature with the state of Washington paved the way for the opportunity for Mateer, which now receives around 3 million dollars of names, image and resemblance to be the quarter of Oklahoma.
The presence of Mateer should help guide the Sooners in the standings after the school had trouble-6-7 in total, 2-6 in the league-during its first season at the Southeast Conference.
“I would say that I can bring a little to the table,” said Mateer, a junior on Wednesday during the media days of the Southeast Conference. “I really do the offensive. I’m just trying to improve myself. I have a lot of people around me who will help me a lot.”
Oklahoma’s quarter-backs passed for only 2,286 yards and 16 affected last season. The Sooners scored 20 points or less seven times and had a three -game section in which they combined for 26 points.
Meanwhile, Mateer took over in the state of Washington after Cam Ward was transferred to Miami and was a great success with his arm and legs. The offensive was just as exciting and productive as with Ward, the n ° 1 choice of Tennessee titans in the draft of the NFL 2025.
Mateer passed for 3,139 yards and 29 affected against seven interceptions last season and rushed to 826 yards and 15 scores. The 44 TD combined were the most in the country.
After the season, Mateer entered the transfer portal. He was interested in Oklahoma and North Carolina while Miami continued to contact him to replace Ward. He also strongly considered staying in Pullman.
Mateer was not interested in following the traces of Ward again. But things quickly became clearer for him when the Sooners hired Ben Arbuckle as an offensive coordinator.
You see, Arbuckle was the OC of the state of Washington which had just allowed Mateer to flourish.
Mateer signed with Sooners and spring exercises were child’s play because of his familiarity with the philosophy of Arbuckle.
“I would say that I was lucky because I did not have to learn a brand new offense,” said Mateer. “I was able to take the time to learn the players with whom I was going to play and establish relationships with them in the locker room, spend time and help them learn the offensive, because the relationship of relationships is the most important thing to direct.
“You can’t drive people you don’t know. They don’t trust you if they don’t know you. It was super important to me.”
Oklahoma coach Brent Venables was very impressed by what Mateer added to the program.
“He’s a guy who wants to win at the highest level,” said Venables. “A connector. A guy who leads before. As he plays the game, he seems to be quickly ahead.
Even before playing his first game with the Sooners, Mateer, from Little Elm, Texas, made comparisons with Baker Mayfield, the winner of the 2017 Heisman Trophy of the School.
Mayfield launched 119 passes in three seasons with Oklahoma after starting her career in Texas Tech.
“It’s an honor to be compared to him,” said Mateer. “When you talk about Oklahoma, everyone likes Baker Mayfield, which is great. And deserving it – he did a lot for this university.
“It is an honor to be compared to him. I would not say that I am exactly like him. But it is really cool to be this high status. I do not see this as a pressure. I see it as an opportunity.”
– field level media
