John Mateer shared an offseason change Oklahoma fans will be thrilled to hear

Entering his fifth and final year of college football, Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer went back to the basics from the very beginning when it was his dad teaching him how to throw a ball.

Mateer transferred from Washington State last year while following offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, and between a thumb injury that required surgery and some poor decision-making, he didn't quite live up to sky-high expectations as the No. 1 quarterback in the Transfer Portal. One of the main complaints fans had, though, was Mateer's throwing motion as he regularly resembled more of a shortstop on a baseball diamond than a QB on the gridiron, which many blamed for some of Mateer's shortcomings. But Mateer has made sure that will be different for his senior season.

John Mateer admits thumb injury altered throwing motion

The Sooners on Wednesday started spring camp, and Mateer spoke with media then and shared that one of his emphasis over the offseason was adjusting his throwing motion to be more over the top than side arm, which NFL scouts will also appreciate more.

However, the change might have been less about breaking a habit and more about getting healthier. Mateer was adamant throughout last season that he was healthy and that the injured thumb on his throwing hand did not cause any of his issues. With 2025 behind him, though, Mateer certainly didn't use the injury as an excuse, but finally admitted the injury caused problems, such as a different throwing motion.

"My thumb's getting a little healthier, so I can grip the ball better," Mateer said. "Getting back to some more over-the-top stuff, less side arm. That all plays in with the thumb, and I'm not making excuses, but that's the truth. I had to adapt a little bit.

"But, yeah, I looked at some old videos, and it's more closer to the ear is what my dad always told me. Keep the ball close to your ear. That was like real young, but same, same."

Media didn't just talk to Mateer and other OU players on Wednesday, but also got to watch part of the Sooners' first practice of the spring. Video from the practice proved Mateer adjusted his throwing motion, at least while comfortable in practice without a defense. The true test will be when Mateer is under pressure and on the run, because that's when his throws really got funky last season.

Mateer wasn't bad last season, and was even a Heisman Trophy front runner before injuring his thumb. He definitely had room for improvement, but getting healthy will be the greatest difference from 2025 to 2026. However, a new throwing motion that hopefully leads to better passes will be a cherry on top for many fans screaming at the TV last season about it.