OU’s Jaydn Ott grabs All-Transfer Portal nod but John Mateer overlooked

The Oklahoma Sooners had one new key addition recognized, but there should had been another.

New OU running back Jaydn Ott on Wednesday made the On3 Preseason All-Transfer Portal Team, but quarterback John Mateer didn't make the cut over Miami's Carson Beck, who transferred from Georgia.

Jaydn Ott makes On3 Preseason All-Transfer Portal Team

Ott and Mateer were the dynamic duo from the Sooners' 19-player Transfer Portal haul this offseason. On3 had both ranked as the No. 1 prospect available at their respective position when they committed to the Sooners. Beck, though, entered the portal after Mateer made his decision, so then became the No. 1 overall player ahead of Mateer.

Beck is a two-time national champion, but both times the Bulldogs won it all, he was watching from the sidelines while Stetson Bennett led the team. Surrounded by an abundance of talent, Beck still made the College Football Playoff twice and had a 24–3 record as a starter the last two seasons.

There's no question Beck should be considered a winner, but at Georgia, he had unmatched talent around him. At times, the Bulldogs had to win in spite of Beck, who threw 12 interceptions last season compared to 28 TDs. He completed only 64.7% of his passes last year for 3,485 yards. He also has almost no rushing threat with five career rushing TDs.

In his first season as a starter last year at Washington State, Mateer led the FBS with 44 total TDs as a dual-threat weapon. He threw for 3,139 yards and 29 TDs compared to seven interceptions, while also rushing for 826 yards and 15 more scores.

Transferring to OU to follow his offensive coordinator, Mateer will now be in the same system with more weapons around him, and OU head coach Brent Venables has praised Mateer for the way he elevates those around him.

At Miami, though, there's no way Beck is on as good of a team as he had at Georgia. He also followed his girlfriend and the money there, not an offensive coordinator.

Ott belonged on this preseason team after leading the Pac-12 with 1,305 rushing yards in 2023 before an ankle injury hampered him last season, but by the time On3 has to assemble this team again at the end of the season, Ott's quarterback will be joining him.

Read more about OU football