Oklahoma Sooners star quarterback John Mateer is back for another year under center. The gunslinger arrived in Norman last season after three seasons with the Washington State Cougars.
Mateer had a disappointing season last year, which played a role in his returning to Norman for his final season. He completed 62.2% of his passes for 2,885 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, while rushing for 431 yards and eight scores. While Mateer didn’t have the best statistical season, he did help lead the Sooners to their first College Football Playoff appearance in the Brent Venables era.
The SEC Network’s Cole Cubelic appeared on “The Oklahoma Breakdown with Ikard and Lehman,” where he predicts Mateer to have a big year, mainly due to the new additions around him.
“He could have a monster year,” Cubelic said. “I love some of the weapons that have been put around him. I feel like it was a little one-receiver driven, at least at times last year. I love the Parker Livingstone get. I think he was undervalued. I looked at the numbers; I think he had 29 catches, and 14 went for first downs… so he can be a big play waiting to happen.”
Mateer showed last season that he can lead Oklahoma to success, but the next step is proving he can consistently elevate the offense. With another year in Ben Arbuckle’s system and more weapons around him, the expectations are much higher in 2026.
If Mateer can return to the playmaking ability he showed at Washington State and flashed early last season, while cutting down on mistakes, he could become the missing piece that turns the Sooners from a playoff contender into a legitimate SEC championship threat.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: SEC Network analyst believes John Mateer will have a ‘monster year’
