Sooners adding needed quarterback depth from transfer portal

The Oklahoma Sooners are trying to bolster what’s behind John Mateer at quarterback. 

Pete Nakos of On3 reported Tuesday that Mercer quarterback Whitt Newbauer is expected to transfer to OU with three years of eligibility left. Newbauer then made things official with his own announcement on X later.

Mercer QB Whitt Newbauer transferring to Oklahoma

The Sooners have a solidified starter and backup at quarterback with Mateer and Michael Hawkins Jr. behind him. However, after that, all OU had at the position was incoming freshman Jett Niu, a three-star recruit from the 2025 class. 

OU’s depth at quarterback took a recent blow when Cole Gonzales entered back into the transfer portal two weeks ago. Gonzales never took a snap for the Sooners after transferring from Western Carolina this past winter. 

Gonzales likely would have never seen the field behind Mateer or Hawkins, but he still would have been a nice safety net if one of them was injured during the 2025 season. 

Because of Gonzales’ departure leaving the Sooners with only three quarterbacks on the roster, they had to go find a last-minute addition again from the FCS level with Newbauer. 

Newbauer almost immediately saw the field at Mercer and played in nine games a freshman when the starter was injured. He threw for 1,398 yards and 12 touchdowns with only four interceptions. He was named to the SoCon All-Freshman Team. 

Mercer was 6-3 with Newbauer at quarterback, including a win over Rhode Island in the first round of the FCS playoffs. Of the three losses, one was to North Dakota State in the quarterfinals and another was to Alabama on the road.

With a season under his belt, Newbauer has three years of eligibility left, but he could also still redshirt, which he'll likely do in 2025.

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