Sooners QB John Mateer is being overlooked after injury-plagued season

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Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer was one of the biggest storylines in college football during the 2025 season. The Washington State Cougars quickly emerged as a Heisman Trophy contender after a dominant start to the season.

During that stretch, he threw for 1,215 yards, six touchdowns and three interceptions, while rushing for 190 yards and five scores. However, a thumb injury changed the trajectory of his season, and his performance declined over the final eight games. To end the year, he threw for 1,670 yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions, while rushing for 241 yards and three scores.

Now, heading into the 2026 season, Mateer isn't discussed much nationally. A big part of that is likely due to how the season ended last year and wanting to see if that was due to injury or to the increase in competition.

On3's Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman discussed the discourse around Mateer this offseason.

"John Mateer is completely forgotten right now," Wasserman said on "Andy & Ari" on On3.

"He got hurt, and he made bad decisions because of it," Staples responded. "I'm not sure he was ever completely healthy again. And so, we are looking at that season in its totality and saying, 'Oh, maybe he wasn't that good.'"

Mateer's 2026 season will be one of the biggest determining factors in how far Oklahoma can go. If he returns to the form he showed early last season, the Sooners could have one of the most dangerous offenses in the SEC. However, if the struggles from the second half of 2025 continue, the questions surrounding his ability to lead Oklahoma at a championship level will only grow.

This season gives Mateer the perfect opportunity to remind the country why he was once considered one of the best quarterbacks in college football.

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: Sooners QB John Mateer is being overlooked after injury-plagued season

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