In Norman, seasons aren’t built on excuses, but if they were, the Oklahoma Sooners had enough in 2024 to write a novel. When a team loses almost an entire starting unit to injuries, it’s not just a setback—it’s a full-blown demolition. The Sooners didn’t just limp to the finish line; they crawled. And now, as Brent Venables pieces his roster back together, one thing is clear—new QB1 John Mateer doesn’t have the luxury of patience. The offense needs a jolt, and he’s the guy who has to provide it. In a conference where quarterbacks can’t just be game managers, Mateer is being asked to be something more—a creator, a playmaker, a difference-maker.
Insiders watching Oklahoma’s spring practices have already seen glimpses of what he can bring to the table that the ex-QB1 now with Auburn, Jackson Arnold, lacked. “You go back to spring practice, fall camp, all we heard was Jackson Arnold struggling to keep the ba-l out of harm’s way,” as noted by a ROC Boys Football insider. That’s not a problem with John Mateer.
Decision-making, control, and the ability to extend plays separate good quarterbacks from great ones, and that’s exactly where he thrives. “My favorite thing about John, and we’ve talked about it—look, if you give him a good offensive line, you give him good pass catchers, he is going to play like one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC, arguably the best quarterback in the SEC.” Those are big words, but Mateer’s playing style backs them up. His ability to evade pressure and make high-level throws off-platform adds an element to Oklahoma’s offense that could be the X-factor in a season that demands nothing less than a major bounce-back.
Brent Venables knows quarterbacks can only do so much without weapons, and that’s why Oklahoma made a major push in the transfer portal. “One of the things I love most about John Mateer is one of the best quarterbacks in the country at ‘Hey, I’m gonna be a difference maker. I’m gonna get myself out of trouble. I’m gonna throw off-platform. I’m gonna make high-level throws.’” The challenge for Mateer isn’t just playing to his strengths—it’s adapting to what’s around him.
Last season, the Sooners’ wide receiver corps was a revolving door, with injuries forcing constant lineup changes. Without chemistry and continuity, even the best quarterbacks struggle. But Brent Venables wasn’t going to let that happen again. He went shopping, and he didn’t come back empty-handed.
Sep 14, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Tulane Green Wave head coach Jon Sumrall (left) shakes hands with Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables (right) after the game at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Three new names are expected to reshape the Sooners’ receiving corps—Javonnie Gibson, Isaiah Sategna, and Keontez Lewis. “I think for a lot of Oklahoma fans, all right, who’s wide receiver two, wide receiver three? I think that we are starting to figure that out,” the insider added. “Javonnie Gibson, a guy that flashed early on, continues to make plays for Oklahoma, probably going to work out on the boundary.” That outside presence gives Mateer a reliable deep threat, something sorely missed in 2024. Then there’s Sategna, a former SEC talent with untapped potential. “Isaiah Satenga from Arkansas, who was actually a guy that I thought, sneaky, was a really good addition—a guy that’s played in the SEC, has looked solid, but I thought there was probably some untapped potential there for Isaiah, a really highly touted kid coming out of high school.”
And then there’s the wild card—Deion Burks. “Here’s what’s unique about Deion Burks. Here’s what makes Deion Burks such a valuable asset for Oklahoma—probably best as a slot wide receiver, but you can line up Deion Burks just about anywhere on the football field, and he’s going to do his thing.” That kind of versatility means Mateer won’t just be throwing to a bunch of new faces—he’ll be throwing to playmakers.
The new firepower is necessary because the Sooners are still feeling the sting of an injury list that reads more like a casualty report. This spring, Oklahoma will be without key names like Heath Ozaeta, Kade McIntyre, Jayden Jackson, and Logan Howland, all recovering from labrum surgeries. KJ Daniels is still dealing with a severe hamstring issue from high school, Andy Bass is rehabbing a re-injured ACL, and both Javontae Barnes and Darius Afalava are recovering from lower-body procedures. That’s a lot of talent stuck on the sideline when Oklahoma desperately needs every available body to make up for last season’s disaster.
Through all of this, Mateer isn’t just being asked to step up—he’s embracing the challenge. That’s not lost on Mateer, who credits the program’s newfound monetary muscle for helping put him in a position to succeed. But money can only buy so much.
Brent Venables $3 Million Bet
Money talks, and the Sooners just made a statement. Respectfully, the SEC doesn’t have a quarterback quite like John Mateer. In fact, the closest comparison to what the Sooners just landed in their high-priced transfer signal-caller might be what we all hope Arch Manning could become one day.
To help turn things around, Oklahoma brought in former Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. The old OC and QB duo now pairs up again just like with the Cougars, but this time for the OU rebuild. Of course, that kind of talent doesn’t come cheap. According to Pete Nakos of On3, it took a whopping $3 million in NIL money to get Mateer to commit to Oklahoma. That’s a serious investment for a program that, despite its deep pockets, only won six games last season.
On the surface, it might seem like a desperation move from HC Brent Venables—but honestly? It’s a desperation move worth backing.
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