Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer hasn't yet made known what his plans for 2026 are, but recent news might have just unveiled his intentions already.
News broke Wednesday that OU backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. plans to enter the Transfer Portal once it opens on Wednesday, and with Hawkins looking for a place where he can be QB1, the move points to Mateer returning to OU for his final year of eligibility instead of heading to the NFL early or entering the portal himself.
Michael Hawkins Jr. transfer news points to John Mateer returning to Sooners
Both of Hawkins' parents (and OU fans) had voiced their frustration on social media about Mateer playing over their son, especially when Mateer threw three interceptions in the regular-season finale against LSU, so unless Mateer left Oklahoma, it was likely Hawkins would leave instead despite being an OU legacy. It appears incoming four-star recruit Bowe Bentley is also the heir to Ben Arbuckle's offense once Mateer is gone, so sticking around another season probably wouldn't have benefited Hawkins regardless, unless it was to be QB1 in 2026.
The likelihood of the Sooners getting another season of Mateer could be good or bad news depending on the OU fan. The truth is, he's the Sooners' best option compared to either trotting an inexperienced quarterback out there next season or overspending for a veteran in the portal that could also be a flop.
Mateer was considered by many as the No. 1 quarterback in the Transfer Portal last year before ultimately following Arbuckle from Washington State to Norman. Mateer quickly won over Sooner Nation and emerged as a Heisman Trophy favorite, but then a broken thumb on his throwing hand and the start of SEC play derailed Mateer's junior campaign.
Ultimately, Mateer finished the season completing 62.2% of his passes for 2,885 yards and 14 touchdowns compared to 11 interceptions in 12 games. He also rushed for 431 yards and eight scores. Most notably, although OU's elite defense deserves the most credit, Mateer led the Sooners to a 10-3 record and the College Football Playoff after going 6-7 in 2024.
Between another season under his belt and being healthier, the chances of Mateer returning drastically increasing all of a sudden should be good news for Sooner Nation.