John Mateer Promises to Bring ‘Swag’ Back to Oklahoma Football—Will He Be the Game-Changer?

John Mateer passes by Heisman Park nearly every day, and each time, the moment feels unreal.

With Oklahoma boasting seven Heisman Trophy winners — the most recent being Kyler Murray in 2018 — the legacy looms large.

“There’s what, seven statues out there? It’s pretty awesome,” Mateer said. “It’s a reminder that greatness is a result of daily work and dedication.”

Still, for Mateer, team victories matter more than personal accolades.

“Of course, winning the Heisman would be amazing,” he said. “But my priority is helping us win games. If we do that, everything else can follow.”

Mateer transferred to Oklahoma in December, a move that came at a crucial time for the Sooners, whose offense struggled throughout the 2024 season. As a junior at Washington State, Mateer passed for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns, adding 826 rushing yards and 15 rushing scores. His performance earned him the No. 6 spot in 247Sports’ transfer portal rankings.

In stark contrast, Oklahoma ranked 119th in the country for passing in 2024, averaging just 175.8 yards per game. Quarterback Jackson Arnold, who led with 1,421 yards, has since transferred to Auburn. Top receiver Bauer Sharp, who led the team with 324 yards, also left for LSU.

Since arriving in Norman in January, Mateer has already begun to change the energy around the program. Coaches and players alike believe he could restore the Sooners to the high-powered glory days of Baker Mayfield, Sam Bradford, and Kyler Murray.

“From the very beginning, we all saw John was something special,” said wide receiver Isaiah Sategna. “He reads the field really well, he’s got a strong arm, and he makes smart, quick decisions — he finds whoever’s open.”

Head coach Brent Venables echoed that sentiment:

“He brings passion, toughness, attention to detail, and a strong grasp of the game. The precision, the aggressiveness, the energy — it’s everything we want in our offense.”

In 2024, Mateer posted an offensive grade of 83.4 and ranked fourth among FBS quarterbacks in rushing with a grade of 86.2. He developed that success alongside offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle — who has now joined Oklahoma in the same role.