Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer is looking to prove he belongs among the best in college football. Mateer was doing exactly that early last season before a thumb injury completely changed the trajectory of his season.
Mateer was one of the most impressive quarterbacks in the country through the first four games of the 2025 season. He threw for 1,215 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions and rushed for 190 yards and five touchdowns. That dominant start quickly made him one of the early favorites in the Heisman Trophy race.
Mateer missed just one game after undergoing surgery to repair the broken bone. He returned for the final eight games of the season, but he was not the same player he was before the injury. Mateer threw for 1,670 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions, while adding 241 rushing yards and three touchdowns in those games.
On3's Chris Low ranked Mateer as the fourth-best quarterback in the SEC heading into the 2026 season. However, because of how dominant Mateer looked when healthy, Low believes he has the potential to make the biggest leap among SEC quarterbacks.
"If he stays healthy, I think Mateer makes the biggest jump," Low said on 'The Paul Finebaum Show.' "They've done a nice job of surrounding him with better players. This is his third year with his coordinator, second year at Oklahoma. He was never the same after he hurt his hand... he's had a great off-season."
Mateer was one of the most impressive quarterbacks in the country through the first four games of the 2025 season. He threw for 1,215 yards with six touchdowns and three interceptions and rushed for 190 yards and five touchdowns. That dominant start quickly made him one of the early favorites in the Heisman Trophy race.
Mateer missed just one game after undergoing surgery to repair the broken bone. He returned for the final eight games of the season, but he was not the same player he was before the injury. Mateer threw for 1,670 yards with eight touchdowns and eight interceptions, while adding 241 rushing yards and three touchdowns in those games.
On3's Chris Low ranked Mateer as the fourth-best quarterback in the SEC heading into the 2026 season. However, because of how dominant Mateer looked when healthy, Low believes he has the potential to make the biggest leap among SEC quarterbacks.
"If he stays healthy, I think Mateer makes the biggest jump," Low said on 'The Paul Finebaum Show.' "They've done a nice job of surrounding him with better players. This is his third year with his coordinator, second year at Oklahoma. He was never the same after he hurt his hand... he's had a great off-season."
4 months ago
