One of the biggest storylines to come out of the Oklahoma Sooners' spring camp so far has been quarterback John Mateer trying to improve his mechanics with an emphasis on breaking his habit of throwing side-arm and instead going over the top. Such a minor detail making headlines could seem hyperbole to some, but OU legendary coach Bob Stoops understands all the fuss around how Mateer throws a football.
Stoops this week during his regular appearance on The Plank Show on KREF radio was asked if all this talk about Mateer's mechanics was worth even talking about or if it's being overblown, and Stoops believes if it's something that concerns Mateer, then it should fans, too.
"It is a big story if he's talking about it," Stoops said. "That's something that he's trying to change or to improve on, then it's worth talking about if he's talking about it."
Bob Stoops fuels growing concern over John Mateer throwing motion during Oklahoma spring camp
Are we making too much of the John Mateer arm angle discussion?
— The REF (@KREFsports) March 31, 2026
Bob Stoops told @PlankShow this morning:
“If he’s talking about it, if that something he’s trying to change or improve on, then it’s worth talking about.” pic.twitter.com/kpsldgP2Wa
This became a storyline when Mateer himself admitted during his first meeting with media as the Sooners' spring camp started that he was "Getting back to some more over-the-top stuff, less side-arm."
Mateer's unorthodox arm slot led to some poor throws at times throughout last season and grew as a major complaint from fans. Grumbling fans on social media wasn't why Mateer made this an emphasis over the offseason, and it likely had more to do with the opinions of NFL scouts, but fans were still pleased to hear that Mateer was working on this, nonetheless.
OU quarterbacks coach John Kuceyeski also mentioned Mateer's effort in improving his mechanics, but he washed down the story some by reminding fans that Mateer's side-arm throws will never disappear completely. And they probably shouldn't.
Regardless, even Stoops agrees this news out of spring camp isn't just clickbait or pointless noise, and it's almost a guarantee fans will revisit this storyline when the Sooners finally kick off against UTEP on Sept. 5 and Mateer makes an errant throw with a funky arm slot.
"In the end, with quarterbacks, I think there's always room for guys to be working on that and improving it," Stoops said. "Footwork, as well, to me, is a big deal for quarterbacks. Anyway, I don't think that's too big a story to talk about. He's one of your top quarterbacks in the country and coming off an injury, and if he's working on some things, great. Hopefully it works and helps him."