Oklahoma Sooners have seen this movie before—the spring quarterback hype, the dazzling throws, the social media clips designed to send the fanbase into a frenzy. But this time? This time, it feels a little different. Maybe it’s because last season was an absolute carousel under center, a dizzying rotation that started with Jackson Arnold, then Michael Hawkins, and then, well, you get the idea. Stability was a foreign concept. Now, enter John Mateer, the redshirt junior who’s been lighting up the Sooners’ spring practices like a Vegas strip marquee.
Another spring practice clip just dropped, Javonnie Gibson snagging a TD, while On3’s JD PicKell’s still all aboard the John Mateer hype train. He’s not just making throws; he’s making statements. And perhaps the most surprising part of all? Brent Venables, a coach known for his defensive pedigree, seems to have found his guy—by doing the unthinkable. “Basically he tells his guys, ‘Hey listen, if we score, we’re getting a s— look at this back shoulder Javonnie Gibson, Ben Arbukle hit the zombie land…’” PicKell said excitedly, describing a moment that had social media buzzing. The play in question?
A perfect, in-rhythm dime to wide receiver Javonnie Gibson, who somehow managed to high-point the ball, secure the catch, and then—because why not—flip his way into the end zone like a Cirque du Soleil performer. Although at 6’2” 215lbs, “He shouldn’t be doing back-flips like that, dude. Should not be happening,” PicKell added in disbelief. The chemistry was obvious, the execution was clean, and for the first time in what felt like forever, the Oklahoma offense looked… fun. This wasn’t just one highlight.
Mateer and Gibson were connecting with an almost telepathic level of trust, and the Sooners’ social media team made sure the world saw every bit of it. “We have beat the John Mateer excitement on this show to absolute death,” PicKell admitted, but that didn’t stop him from marveling at the throws.
“Checks it, back shoulder, hit my guy… it looks like back shoulder at least, I mean back foot at least to Javonnie Gibson.” The excitement wasn’t just about one play; it was about a shift in momentum. Last year’s Oklahoma offense was sluggish, averaging just 21 points per game, a number that made Sooner fans physically cringe. Now? There’s a different energy, a new edge, and as PicKell put it, “Spring is for the vibes.” And it’s not just the vibes—it’s the weapons. Mateer’s chemistry with Gibson is already turning heads, but he’s not working alone. The Venables receiving corps has undergone a major facelift, and it’s starting to take shape in real-time.
Redshirt senior Deion Burks, another key target, has been a consistent presence in practice, while transfer additions Isaiah Sategna and Keontez Lewis are quickly emerging as critical pieces. Looks like we’re finally about to figure out who Oklahoma’s WR2 and WR3 are; no more guessing games. “I think for a lot of Oklahoma fans, all right, who’s wide receiver two, wide receiver three?” one insider previously pondered. “I think that we are starting to figure that out.”
Gibson, standing at 6’2” and 215 pounds, looks like he’ll lock down the boundary, while Sategna and Lewis offer complementary skill sets that give the Sooners a dynamic trio to stretch the field. Brent Venables, known for his defensive prowess, did something unexpected—he rebuilt the Oklahoma offense with precision, bringing in playmakers who fit the system. “Javonnie Gibson, a guy that flashed early on, continues to make plays for Oklahoma,” PicKell noted. “Probably going to work out on the boundary.”
If last season’s offense was a puzzle missing too many pieces, this one finally looks complete. For Oklahoma, spring ball is rarely a true indicator of what’s to come, but this time, it feels like a preview.
John Mateer embraces Oklahoma’s new weapons
Former Sooners QB Dillon Gabriel is off to chase NFL dreams. Oklahoma’s offense, after all, was electric in the 23′ season under Gabriel, ranking third nationally with a blistering 41.7 points per game—a big jump from the 6–7 record in 2022, the first year for both Gabriel and Venables. But as a transfer QB, Mateer now steps into a team that just wrapped up 2024 with an offense ranked outside the top 100, averaging just 4.8 yards per play. And for this fresh 2025 chapter of Norman’s new QB era, sophomore John Mateer’s all in—and what’s better than having Gabriel’s advice to lean on?
“I talked to Dillon Gabriel, he just told me to embrace the guys and really build relationships because that’s the most important thing, being a leader,” Mateer shared during his first media appearance as a Sooner. And he’s taking that advice to heart.
Since arriving in Norman, Mateer has been soaking up every bit of the experience. “Loving everything about it: the fans, the process, the offense, and just learning everybody and learning how to win.” That’s the mindset you want from a young QB1 stepping into a program that doesn’t settle for mediocrity. Now, a new system and a new leader are in place, and Mateer isn’t shying away from the challenge.
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