J.D. PicKell isn't giving up on the Sooners' QB in 2026

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Oklahoma Sooners redshirt-senior starting quarterback John Mateer made the decision to return for a second season at OU this winter, a season which will mark his final year of collegiate eligibility. Mateer helped the Sooners make it to the College Football Playoff last year, but the national opinion of him isn’t as high as it was when he got to Oklahoma, due to his play after his thumb injury last year.

However, one national analyst does not share that opinion. On3 Sports’ J.D. PicKell, the host of “The Hard Count with J.D. PicKell“, compiled a list of college football figures that he refuses to give up on yet. Atop that list was none other than Mateer, with PicKell staunchly defending the OU quarterback.

“He does have to take his game to the next level, but I don’t understand why we’re so hung up on what John Mateer was when he wasn’t his full version of himself,” PicKell said. “Also, put it to you this way, this isn’t our first introduction to John Mateer. The dude led FBS in total touchdowns, prior to getting to Oklahoma, at Washington State. Now, I know that Washington State and Oklahoma are two different levels of difficulty … But understand, the dude can still play ball at a really high level. You still have to factor that in when you assess who John Mateer is.”

Mateer talked openly during spring practice about how he has been working to take his game to the next level. He’s been working to improve his footwork and throwing mechanics, along with getting his eyes in the right place and taking what the defense gives him. Oklahoma hopes that Mateer’s work will yield very positive results in 2026.

As PicKell also pointed out, there won’t be a period of acclimation for Mateer and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle when it comes to getting used to playing and coaching in the SEC. That, along with the thumb injury, was another major factor in the post-September decline for the OU offense in 2025, and that duo being back together at Oklahoma this year is a big plus for getting the offense back on track.

Combine those things with the fact that Oklahoma put a focus on adding offensive talent around Mateer this offseason, and the fact that the Sooners are making improvement at running the ball a major emphasis, and you have a recipe that could bring a healthy Mateer, and in the bigger picture the entire OU offense, more success on the field in 2026.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: J.D. PicKell bullish on the potential of Oklahoma Sooners QB in 2026

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