‘He Reminds Me of (Tim) Tebow’ — CFB Analyst Compares John Mateer to Florida Legend Ahead of Oklahoma’s Matchup vs. Michigan
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John Mateer has already spent plenty of his Oklahoma career running through defenders. Danny Kanell thinks that combination of power, emotion, and quarterback mobility resembles one of college football’s most recognizable players.
Ahead of No. 11 Oklahoma’s trip to Michigan, the CBS Sports analyst compared Mateer to former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow. Kanell’s comparison was not primarily about their passing styles. It centered on what Mateer can give the Sooners when the play calls for a quarterback willing to lower his shoulder.
Danny Kanell Sees Tim Tebow Traits in John Mateer
In aCBS Sports clip, Kanell said, “He reminds me of Tebow when Tebow was at Florida.”
Kanell did attach one warning to the comparison. He believes that adding too much muscle can negatively affect a quarterback’s throwing mechanics, underscoring the importance of looseness and elasticity for passers. Still, he sees Mateer’s build and willingness to run as a weapon Oklahoma can use when finesse is not required.
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“I think he’s going to outrush Bryce Underwood,” Kanell added. “Think about those moments in short-yardage situations when Tebow would just take it in the back, like in that little quarterback lead, and he would just take it and run it up the middle.”
Kanell continued by emphasizing Mateer’s appetite for contact.
“He is not afraid to put his head down and go get you some of those tough yards,” Kanell said. “His teammates love that, and I think he is that emotional type leader that Tebow was to Florida. He brings that to Oklahoma.”
That part of the comparison has evidence behind it. Mateer rushed for 431 yards and a team-high eight touchdowns in 12 games for Oklahoma last season, even while battling through a right thumb injury that required surgery.
John Mateer’s Legs Have Already Hurt Michigan
Michigan does not need much imagination to understand Kanell’s point. Mateer was Oklahoma’s leading rusher when the teams met in Norman last season, carrying 19 times for 74 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-13 Sooners victory. He also threw for 270 yards and another score.
The rematch comes after Mateer opened 2026 by completing 11 of 17 passes for 225 yards and three touchdowns in Oklahoma’s 51-0 shutout of UTEP. PFN’s currentCFB quarterback rankings place him No. 20, and his PFN CFB QB Impact Score is 80.7 ahead of the matchup against Michigan.
Kanell is not arguing that Mateer is Tebow 2.0 as a complete quarterback. His point is narrower and potentially more relevant because on Saturday, Oklahoma has a 224-pound quarterback who can turn short-yardage snaps into collisions and bring teammates with him emotionally.
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Michigan saw that formula up close last year, and this time the setting shifts to Ann Arbor. Kanell expects the Wolverines to see it again.
This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.
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