If anyone can relate to Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer right now, it’s legendary OU running back Adrian Peterson.
Roto Grinder’s Kyle Odegard recently asked Peterson about the quarterback leading his alma mater, and just like everyone else throughout Sooner Nation, Peterson saw two different versions of Mateer in 2025 while he was dealing with a broken thumb on his throwing hand most the season. Peterson from experience, though, knows exactly what it takes for Mateer to bounce back better, and even saw beyond just his physical shortcomings last year.
Read more: Adrian Peterson puts Oklahoma's running backs on notice before 2026
“I really like John Mateer, man. He really impressed me, especially the first half of the season,” Peterson said. “His decision-making, his ability to create things when it broke down. He kept plays alive using his feet.
“Then he had that injury where he had to have surgery, and in my personal opinion based on watching, I think that kind of hurt his confidence. I don’t think they would put him out there if he wasn’t healthy, but I could see a difference in the kid that was playing earlier in the year compared to who was out there against Texas.”
Adrian Peterson relates to John Mateer after injury-riddled Oklahoma career
Twice during his incredible three-year OU career Peterson suffered an injury even more severe than what Mateer dealt with last season. But every time, even once in the NFL, Peterson always took a step forward instead of back after each injury.
Peterson took college football by storm in 2004 as a freshman. He was the Heisman Trophy runner-up while setting multiple NCAA freshman records with 1,925 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. He was destined to inarguably be the greatest running back we ever saw with the statistics to match if not for injuries.
In 2005, Peterson fought through a similar situation as Mateer while playing through a broken foot, which is obviously just as important to a running back as a thumb is to a quarterback. In 11 games, Peterson still limped to more than 1,000 rushing yards. Then, the next season, Peterson broke his collarbone and was limited to only seven games while again still surpassing 1,000 yards.
The prime example of a bounce-back season from Peterson came in the NFL, though. Near the end of the 2011 season, Peterson tore his ACL and MCL but still returned in time for the start of the 2012 season. With expectations the injury would slow him down, Peterson put together an NFL MVP season and was just 208 yards short of breaking the NFL record for most rushing yards in a season.
No one is comparable to Peterson in any way, but there's definitely something Mateer can learn from him, and Peterson is likely more than happy to share to better the Sooners.
“You go through things as players, especially at the quarterback position, and it’s all about how you respond,” Peterson said of Mateer. “I’m hoping that he’s able to look and see the difference, and then do everything he needs to do to get that confidence back. Make sure he’s back to the old version, and then a better version, of what he was.”
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