After an offseason of extremely high expectations for the top transfer quarterback, it was an overall disappointing debut season with the Oklahoma Sooners for John Mateer in 2025. But while the hype about Mateer has been quiet this offseason because of that, he's been grinding to assure 2026 is completely different.
A broken thumb on his throwing hand that required surgery really derailed Mateer's season after surging as an early Heisman Trophy favorite, but even while enduring endless criticism during his drop-off, he never used the injury as a crutch. Finally, during spring camp, he admitted how much it hindered his performance (obviously), and more recently after showing out at the Manning Passing Academy, he told On3's Wilson Alexander that those struggles will only make him better. No matter how grueling it seemed for all of us at times last year.
"I have no regrets in the challenge I put myself through," Mateer told Alexander. "Obviously, it didn’t work out. Like, it sucked. We all watched it. I’m not saying that. But it’s just the result. I learned a lot, and you learn that you can adapt, and then in the offseason, go back."
NEW: Oklahoma's John Mateer tells @whalexander_ his hand injury last season was "like throwing a baseball without two fingers":
— On3 (@On3) June 29, 2026
"I have no regrets in the challenge I put myself through. Obviously, it didn’t work out. Like, it sucked. We all watched it. I’m not saying that. But… pic.twitter.com/IV3fttGfMh
John Mateer's offseason of work points to a transformed Sooners QB
Mateer ultimately completed 62.2% of his passes for 2,885 yards and 14 touchdowns with 11 interceptions last season. He also rushed for 431 yards and eight more scores. The offense as a whole with Mateer leading the way averaged 26.23 points a game, which was 12th of 16 teams in the SEC. Certainly nothing eye-popping, especially for a fan base accustomed to watching the likes of Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts and even Dillon Gabriel.
As agonizing as last season felt for OU fans at times, especially when the offense was on the field, it still ended with the Sooners going 10-2 through a grueling SEC schedule and returning to the College Football Playoff for the first time since 2017. It's fair to argue a better offense could have propelled the Sooners even further into the playoff, or at least tallied Oklahoma's first-ever elusive CFP win in five appearances.
There's reason for hope in the offense in 2026, though, and that belief should exist because of Mateer. He has handled the situation in the ideal way between saying all the right words and now putting in the required action.
Read more: John Mateer has earned all the respect from Baker Mayfield as Oklahoma's QB
There's already proof that Mateer has improved since we last watched him in December. He changed his throwing motion that drove some fans nuts. He looks so ripped that a picture of him went viral over the weekend. He had media at the Manning Passing Academy raving about him. And most importantly, he's healthy, and a healthy Mateer last year was a Heisman Trophy candidate.
A new and improved Mateer also has more talent around him than ever before. The Sooners brought in transfer wide receiver Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone while keeping Isaiah Sategna III, who was Mateer's top target last season. OU returns four of five starting offensive linemen, three of which were freshmen getting accumulated last year. The 1-2 punch of Xavier Robinson and Tory Blaylock is also back in the backfield.
Mateer went back to the lab this offseason, and it seems like he found a winning formula.
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