2026 QB Spotlight: John Mateer
Kevin looks at another potential sleeper in the 2026 QB class!
Let’s talk about one of the most underrated breakout stories from the 2024 college football season: Washington State QB John Mateer. After spending a couple of years waiting in the shadows behind Cam Ward at Washington State, Mateer finally got his shot as the Cougars' starter in 2024 and he absolutely ran with it. Literally.
In his first season commanding the offense, Mateer exploded onto the national scene as one of the most productive dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. He threw for over 3,100 yards, added another 826 on the ground, and racked up a ridiculous 44 total touchdowns. That included 29 passing scores and 15 on the ground. To put that in perspective, Mateer led the entire nation in total touchdowns during the regular season, and that’s no small feat. Over the past eight seasons, that same stat line has been a strong predictor of a Heisman winner. We’re talking about names like Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, Joe Burrow, Kyler Murray, and Baker Mayfield. That’s the type of production Mateer just gave us in his first year as a starter.
He wasn’t just putting up empty numbers either. He was named the Pac-12’s Top Offensive Performer of the Year and averaged a monstrous 330 total yards per game, split between 261 through the air and 68 on the ground. It was vintage dual-threat dominance, and he did it in style, completing nearly 65% of his passes and keeping turnovers in check with just seven picks across 12 games.
But after a coaching shake-up in Pullman, Mateer made the move to the transfer portal and didn’t waste any time finding a new home. He followed his former offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, to Oklahoma, a program that desperately needed a shot in the arm under center after stumbling to a 6-7 finish last season. Head coach Brent Venables and the Sooners knew they couldn’t afford another year like that, so they went all in on Mateer, who now enters the 2025 season as one of the highest-valued NIL athletes in the country.
Now that Mateer has landed in Norman, the big question is how this staff plans to harness his skillset. Oklahoma can’t afford another six-win season, and the pressure is on Brent Venables and company to turn things around quickly. That starts with Mateer and more specifically, how this offensive scheme is being built around him. Let’s dive into the coaching dynamics and what this system might look like with Arbuckle back in the driver’s seat.
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Coaching and Scheme
The Sooners didn’t just need a spark this offseason, they needed a full system reboot. That’s exactly what Brent Venables aimed for when he brought in Ben Arbuckle, who officially took over as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach on December 2, 2024. Arbuckle isn’t just a fresh face, he’s one of the fastest-rising play-callers in the country, and Oklahoma didn’t hesitate to give him the keys after a disastrous offensive campaign last season.
Arbuckle arrives from Washington State, where he completely revitalized the Cougars' offense over a two-year stretch. His 2024 unit ranked top-15 nationally in a wide range of metrics, including scoring offense (36.8 PPG), passing touchdowns (30), and yards per play (6.7). And while most Air Raid disciples tend to neglect the ground game, Arbuckle proved to be more balanced. WSU rushed for over 100 yards in 11 games and even punched in 27 touchdowns on the ground. His offense wasn’t just about putting up flashy numbers, it was about pace, spacing, and efficiency. Of course, a big part of that success came with John Mateer under center. Bottom line? Arbuckle built the perfect system for Mateer and now he gets to do it again in Norman.
Back in 2023, Arbuckle helped Cam Ward throw for over 300 yards per game and engineered one of the most explosive passing attacks in the country. Over his two years at Wazzu, the Cougars ranked top-10 nationally in passing yards per game and passing touchdowns, while maintaining a stellar TD-to-INT ratio. And let’s not forget—this guy is just 29 years old. His rise from a quality control gig at Houston Baptist to Power 5 OC in less than five years speaks volumes about how well-regarded he is behind the scenes.
Stylistically, Arbuckle’s system blends traditional Air Raid spacing concepts with a modern twist. He emphasizes tempo, timing, and quick decision-making while still attacking vertically when the situation calls for it. He’s also shown flexibility. He's willing to adapt his scheme to highlight the strengths of his quarterback and surrounding talent. That flexibility bodes well for a Sooners offense that desperately needs an identity shift.
Make no mistake. There are real challenges ahead. Arbuckle’s scheme requires precision, chemistry, and buy-in from every level of the offense. Route timing, pass protection, and execution need to click quickly. And with a handful of transfers set to play major roles, getting everyone on the same page is priority number one.
Venables knows what’s at stake. His seat isn’t just warm, it’s sizzling. Last year’s 6-7 campaign was a low point, especially with Oklahoma’s offense sinking to 124th in yards per play. The Jackson Arnold experiment flamed out, and a carousel of injuries didn’t help. But at the end of the day, the offense lacked creativity and direction under Seth Littrell and the results showed. If things unravel early again, there’s a real chance Venables doesn’t make it through the season.
That’s why bringing in Arbuckle and handing him full control wasn’t just a move, it was a lifeline. Oklahoma is betting big on Mateer and Arbuckle recreating their Washington State magic in the heart of the SEC.
So, what does this offense actually look like heading into the fall? Let’s break down what pieces are in place around him, and where this new-look Oklahoma unit stacks up in the SEC heading into 2025.
2025 Offensive Outlook
Running Back
After a bit of a post-spring reshuffling, Oklahoma’s backfield has taken on a new identity and it starts with one of the top portal additions in the country. Former Cal standout Jaydn Ott gives the Sooners a legitimate bell-cow presence. Don’t let his quiet 2024 fool you. Ott’s a proven producer when healthy, with over 2,700 total yards and 25 touchdowns in his first two seasons at Cal. The ankle injury last year slowed him down, but when right, he’s a versatile, explosive playmaker with three-down ability.
Behind him, Jovantae Barnes returns as a steady between-the-tackles option. Barnes led the team with 519 rushing yards last year despite dealing with injuries, and he’ll be looking to regain the form that made him a breakout candidate early in his career. Sophomore Xavier Robinson is a name to keep tabs on as well. He’s a bruising runner with upside, while Taylor Tatum brings a fresh burst to the depth chart as a highly touted recruit. The backfield looks like a legitimate strength for the first time in a few seasons, and with Mateer’s legs now a key piece of the rushing puzzle, this group should thrive.
Wide Receiver
The receiver room underwent a serious renovation this offseason. The Sooners needed firepower on the outside, and while injuries muddied the spring picture, there’s legitimate talent here if the pieces fall into place.
Isaiah Sategna, the Arkansas transfer, has emerged as a favorite to start after flashing in spring ball. While he operated mostly out of the slot at Arkansas, his ability to stretch the field and line up outside gives Oklahoma some flexibility. He’s expected to bring some much-needed juice to this group.
One name to watch is Elijah Thomas, a true freshman who turned heads immediately. He might’ve played his way into a starting role after an electric spring. Jer’Michael Carter, a long, experienced option from McNeese, adds another outside threat, while Zion Kearney and Keontez Lewis are in the mix as well. The big unknown is Javonnie Gibson. He looked like he was going to be “that guy” before a broken leg in late spring sidelined him. If he returns early in the year, he could immediately become the WR1 in this offense.
In the slot, it’s Deion Burks who gets the nod. Limited to just five games last season, Burks is healthy and expected to be the focal point of the passing game. His ability to operate over the middle and generate YAC will be critical for Mateer. Behind him, Josiah Martin (a Cal transfer) and Jacob Jordan provide solid depth.
Tight End
This group might not move the needle yet, but there’s potential. Will Huggins emerged from spring as the top option. He’s a big-bodied blocker from Pitt State with limited pass-catching production, but he fits the physical mold the staff is looking for. Carson Kent flashed as a receiver during spring ball and might be the better option in the passing game, while Kaden Helms and Kade McIntyre are wild cards with athletic traits. It’s not a flashy room, but if they can get even average production here, it’s a win.
Offensive Line
This group has been pieced together from returners, transfers, and development projects and honestly, it might work.
Logan Howland missed the spring while recovering from labrum surgery but should lock down the left tackle spot. He started six games last year and showed real growth. Jacob Sexton took first-team reps this spring and could push for time if he doesn’t move inside. Michael Fasusi, a highly ranked freshman, flashed during spring but probably needs more time before he’s thrown into the fire.
At left guard, Heath Ozaeta is the favorite to start once he returns from a shoulder injury. He was solid in 2024 and gives the group some continuity. Eddy Pierre-Louis got the spring reps in his place and could slot in at either guard spot. He looked the part and might make a strong push to start regardless of who’s healthy.
Troy Everett returns at center and brings leadership and experience. He looked comfortable during the back half of last year and is the anchor of this line. Stanford transfer Jake Maikkula provides quality depth and flexibility across the interior.
On the right side, Febechi Nwaiwu is back after starting every game at guard last year and logging the most snaps on offense. If he holds up his end, Oklahoma should be solid inside. Pierre-Louis could challenge here, too, depending on how the coaches want to deploy him. At tackle, Derek Simmons, a transfer from Western Carolina with over 1,100 career snaps, seems locked in. He quickly established himself in the spring, and his experience should be a stabilizing force.
With a revamped offensive staff, a dual-threat quarterback at the helm, and a deeper group of skill players than we’ve seen in recent years, the Sooners are quietly building something that could be dangerous in the SEC. The question is whether it all clicks in time and if Mateer can be the guy to lead them through the storm.
Now let’s dive into Mateer’s tape and break down exactly what he brings to this team; on the field, in the huddle, and what his long-term NFL outlook could look like.
Projected 2025 Depth Chart (Offense)
QB1: John Mateer
RB1: Jaydn Ott
RB2: Jovantae Barnes
WR1: Deion Burks
WR2: Jayden Gibson
WR3: Javonnie Gibson
WR4: Isaiah Sategna
TE1: Will Huggins
Scouting Report
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