As pointed out in a recent article, we are at the inevitable point of the college football offseason when all sundry of lists and rankings begins to pick up steam in the news cycle in anticipation of the 2025 season.
An article by ESPN's David Hale cited five teams and 11 players, including Oklahoma newcomer John Mateer, as being at the "top of the class" for the 2025 season. In particular, the analysis examined the depth and strength of the quarterback position and ranked how set the teams are at the most important position on the field, differentiating them by tiers.
According to the ESPN analysis, the quarterback situations at Oklahoma, Clemson, LSU, Penn State and South Carolina are the strongest of all FBS teams as we go under the 100-day mark for the start of the 2025 season.
ESPN ranks Oklahoma QB situation as 'top of class' entering 2025 season
Hale's article noted that the biggest names at the quarterback position -- Drew Allar at Penn State, Cade Klubnik at Clemson and LSU's Grant Nussmeier -- have earned their place at the top of the sport as a result of past performances. LaNorris Sellars of South Carolina and OU's Mateer, on the other hand, had a few "Heisman moments" last season. ESPN also ranked Mateer as the No. 1 transfer in the country just last week.
"Mateer flourished in the relative obscurity of Washington State," Hale wrote, "and now will be tasked with reviving Oklahoma's program under the glare of the SEC spotlight. Both players scratched the surface of greatness last season and enter 2025 with massive expectations."
According to Hale, in the College Football Playoff era 14 players have posted a single-season stat line of at least 4,000 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, 9 yards per pass and no more than 10 turnovers. Mateer missed that mark by 36 yards last season.
Mateer's 2024 accomplishments included 53 broken or evaded tackles, the most last season among FBS quarterbacks. Also no quarterback who averaged at least 9 yards per pass attempt last season had a lower rate of off-target throws than the Washington State transfer's 9.4%.
Behind Mateer at OU is Michael Hawkins Jr., who started four games last season as a freshman, and recent Mercer transfer Whitt Newbauer.
ESPN also ranked the quarterback situation at Florida, Miami and Texas as Tier 1b ("So hot right now") right below Oklahoma and the others. Tier 2 ("Pretty darned good") included Arizona State, Baylor, Georgia Tech and Iowa State.
Read more about OU football