Why John Mateer’s Critics May Be Missing the Bigger Picture
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There likely isn't a player under more pressure for the Oklahoma Sooners than quarterback John Mateer. The star quarterback had an up-and-down season in his first year in Norman last season.
Mateer threw for 2,885 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while rushing for 431 yards and eight scores in an injury-riddled season. He showed flashes when healthy early in the season. He threw for 1,215 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions, while rushing for 190 yards and four scores. The Sooners jumped out to a 4-0 start, but Mateer was injured in that fourth game against the Auburn Tigers. He wasn't the same after that, but still helped lead the Sooners to the College Football Playoff.
On3's J.D. PicKell is high on Mateer for this upcoming season. He said that his biggest critics are missing the big picture.
"Let's take the injury out of it," PicKell said on 'The Hard Count.' "Can you cite me a game he was healthy last year, the few of them that there were, where you don't like John Mateer because of that game?… I think the majority of people, the gripes they have with Mateer, don't hear the Auburn game mentioned much when talking about Mateer. Don't hear the Michigan game mentioned."
On top of his health, the Sooners have done plenty this offseason to make Mateer's second season easier. Oklahoma added wide receivers Parker Livingstone and Trell Harris, revamped the tight end room and placed a major emphasis on fixing a rushing attack that ranked among the worst in college football.
That support takes some of the burden off of Mateer's shoulders. If he stays healthy and returns to the form he showed early last season, Oklahoma could have a much more dangerous offense in 2026. The Sooners already have the defense necessary to compete at the highest level. A healthy and confident Mateer could determine whether they remain a playoff contender or take the next step toward becoming a legitimate national championship contender.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Why John Mateer’s Critics May Be Missing the Bigger Picture
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