John Mateer looks like a totally different QB in wild Manning Passing Academy photo

Do you even lift, bruh? John Mateer not only knows his way around the Oklahoma football facility, he knows exactly what he is doing in the weight room. Ahead of his second and final season with OU, Mateer has put in the work to build up his body. While injuries slowed him down in the second half of last year, Mateer is full steam ahead to what should be another exciting season of Oklahoma football.

While attending the Manning Passing Academy, Mateer touched on the offseason work he has done.

“I’ve worked on getting stronger, just bettering my footwork and throwing better, setting my feet on the move," Mateer said. "Also seeing the field clearer and connecting to secondary targets.
It’s all about winning.”

Based on this side-by-side comparison, you can tell Mateer looks like a totally different quarterback.

Oklahoma legend Baker Mayfield noticed that Mateer is built different. Not only does he have special physical traits, but Mateer possesses the right kind of mental makeup to be the ultimate foxhole guy OU deserves on the gridiron. Mayfield famously played with an edge about him for the Sooners. It is not a perfect encapsulation, but Mateer does have that about him, too. Of course, he is mostly yoked.

Mateer and the Sooners are looking to build off last year's run to the playoffs by hoping to go further.

John Mateer is built to run the gauntlet that is Oklahoma's 2026 schedule

While last year's schedule was certainly a challenge, this year's might even be more difficult for OU. Oklahoma may draw UTEP and Mountain West contender New Mexico out of the Group of Six, but it must travel to Ann Arbor to face Michigan for the second leg of a home-and-home. OU did beat the Wolverines a year ago, based on Mateer's heroics in Norman. Can he replicate that in The Big House?

As far as SEC play is concerned, Oklahoma has four home games, four road games, and the annual neutral-site affair in Dallas vs. arch rival Texas. It commences SEC play at Georgia, as well as drawing fellow playoff teams from a season ago in Ole Miss and Texas A&M at home. While 10-2 is possible, Mateer needs to take his game up another level to avoid missing out on the College Football Playoff.

Part of what made Mateer so captivating a year ago was his innate ability to tuck it and run. That will surely remain a part of his game this year. However, a thumb injury midway through his first year at OU was a bit too much for him to overcome down the stretch. He became more erratic as a passer. The Oklahoma offense struggled in the second half of the season, while the defense picked up the slack.

ALSO READ: Brad Crawford sees Oklahoma walking an agonizing CFP tightrope again

While college football fans abound are gawking at Mateer's shoulders, he and Oklahoma really need them to be more impressed by his all-around game than anything. It is all coming down to this. If everything goes according to plan, Mateer will have OU back in the playoffs and pushing for a first-round NFL Draft grade. If he really balls out, he might be a serious contender for the Heisman Trophy.

For now, it looks like Mateer has totally rebuilt himself and should play confidently during this season.

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