Oklahoma QB John Mateer opens up on 'obvious' decision to return

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The Oklahoma Sooners began spring football practice on Wednesday, and along with an updated spring roster and the first on-field practices open to the media since last season, there was also media availability on Wednesday for a few select players. One of those players was redshirt senior starting quarterback John Mateer.

Mateer had the option to go to the NFL after his first season at OU, but he chose to return to Norman for his last season of college football. Mateer was a member of the 2022 recruiting class, and he signed with Washington State out of high school. After redshirting in 2022 with the Cougars, he played in 11 games in 2023 as the team’s backup quarterback. In 2024, he had a breakout season as WSU’s starting QB, starting all 12 regular season games, and leading the FBS in total touchdowns.

For his redshirt junior season in 2025, he transferred from Wazzu to Oklahoma, following offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Ben Arbuckle to Norman from Pullman. He again started 12 games with the Sooners, helping them make the College Football Playoff. Because he redshirted all the way back in 2022, Mateer still has one season of eligibility left. He’s chosen to use it in 2026, and he will lead the way for the OU offense during his final season of college football.

On Wednesday, Mateer spoke to reporters about his choice to come back to Oklahoma. He called the choice “obvious” and gave a number of reasons why it was a clear decision.

“It’s been fun,” Mateer said. “Coming back and leading a new team, new group of guys, building relationships and making old ones better, so it’s been fun staying here. Being at OU is a blessing … It (his decision to stay) was pretty obvious in the end; need to be better, need to come back and develop another year, and this place is awesome.”

Clearly, it was not a difficult decision for Mateer to come back to college and to come back to Oklahoma, where he knew he needed to return and continue to develop. After a hot first month of the season where he was leading the Heisman Trophy race, he didn’t look the same after breaking his thumb and undergoing surgery. Though the Sooners made the CFP, it was largely on the back of the team’s excellent defense and special teams units.

Mateer also elaborated on what he wants to improve on this year, after some inconsistent play at times in 2025.

“I’ve been a good football player, I am a good football player, but playing quarterback, learning and playing in a system, playing with more anticipation, and more knowledge of the defense, stuff like that,” Mateer said. “That’s how I phrase it, ‘playing better quarterback’, and doing things that will help at the next level.”

Mateer certainly showed some gunslinger tendencies last season, and no one is questioning his leadership drive, guts, or athleticism. However, he wasn’t always overly consistent throwing the football and putting it in the right spots last year. It sounds like he knows that, and he’s been working hard to improve. He also spoke about the work he’s been doing on his throwing mechanics this winter, as he looks to get better and grow ahead of the new season.

“My thumb’s getting a little healthier, so I can grip the ball better,” Mateer said. “Getting back to some more over-the-top stuff, less sidearm. That all plays in with the thumb, and I’m not making an excuse, but that’s the truth. I to adapt a little bit. I looked at some old videos and it’s closer to the ear. My dad always told me to keep the ball your ear.”

Oklahoma’s returning starting quarterback has is obviously not shying away from the work as he gets ready for his second spring ball with the Sooners. His growth, and his continued relationship with Arbuckle have him excited for spring practices.

“I feel great,” Mateer said. “Being a year older, I learned a lot. I look back to last year, and I’m like, ‘Well I’m way better than I was’, and that’s how it is every year. It’s fun being with Coach Arbuckle another year. I’ve been with him for forever now, but it’s a good relationship, you know, it’s a lot of fun.”

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: OU’s John Mateer elaborates on his decision to come back to Norman

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