Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer on too-early Heisman contender list

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Maybe a year with less pressure and a year of Southeastern Conference experience will lift John Mateer to expected heights.

It's not that the Oklahoma quarterback was bad in his first season in Norman. He began the year as Heisman Trophy-contender and even shot to the top of the list after OU's first two games. But a thumb injury and the stiff competition of the SEC slowed him.

Still, his talent remains and it's so high that Mateer ended up landing as a 2026 Heisman Trophy candidate on USA TODAY's "Way-Too-Early" list from Austin Curtright.

Quarterbacks Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss), Arch Manning (Texas), Josh Hoover (Indiana), Julian Sayin (Ohio State) and Dante Moore (Oregon) rated ahead of Mateer on the list as the most likely contenders at the position. Sayin finished as a finalist for the award in 2025. Mateer rated as one of 10 quarterbacks as honorable mentions.

The Sooners found renewed success with Mateer running the offense, finishing 10-3 and making the College Football Playoff. Individually, though, Mateer's numbers were pedestrian. He finished sixth in the SEC in passing yards per game (240.4) and 12th in touchdown passes. His 11 interceptions were tied for third most among regular conference starters. On the ground, Mateer tied for fourth among SEC quarterbacks in rushing touchdowns (8) and seventh in yards rushing (471).

The non-quarterbacks on the list were Miami (FL) wide receiver Malachi Toney and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy was the only non-quarterback who was named as an honorable mention.

This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Oklahoma's John Mateer tabbed as Heisman Trophy contender

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