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Baker Mayfield reveals recruiting pitch, message to John Mateer before commitment

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•07/19/25•

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Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield and OU legend Baker Mayfield
Photo of John Mateer: © SARAH PHIPPS/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images; Photo of Baker Mayfield: © Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

During Oklahoma’s pursuit of John Mateer in the transfer portal, he got a call from a program legend. Baker Mayfield spoke with the former Washington State star, he confirmed during SEC Media Days.

Speaking with reporters Saturday, Mayfield shared his recruiting pitch and message to Mateer as he weighed his decision. It apparently worked as the highly rated transfer committed to Oklahoma.

Mayfield recalled telling Mateer about the passion of the Oklahoma fan base, especially when the program wins. He saw that during his time in Norman, amassing a 34-6 record as the starter before coming the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Now, he hopes Mateer sees similar success.

“Obviously, he was still deciding,” Mayfield told Sooner Scoop’s George Stoia III. “You can’t force somebody to do anything they don’t want to. But I told him everything I would’ve said. If you trust it, if you love it there, if you want a chance to go shine in a place that will truly embrace you for everything you are, this is the place to be.

“The tradition here, you can’t beat it. The atmosphere. Once you start winning, people will rally around you. It’s up to him now.”

John Mateer: Baker Mayfield comparisons ‘an honor’

John Mateer’s arrival came with plenty of fanfare after he became the No. 3-ranked player to enter the transfer portal this cycle, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings. He’s also staying with offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after he flourished in the system last year at Washington State. In 2024, Mateer threw for 3,139 yards and 39 touchdowns while adding 826 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns

But some have compared Mateer to Baker Mayfield, given his playmaking ability at quarterback. While he noted how much it means to receive such a comparison, he sees it more of a chance to chase that level of greatness and leave his mark on the Oklahoma program.

“It’s an honor to be compared to him,” Mateer told reporters at SEC Media Days. “You talk about Oklahoma, everybody loves Baker Mayfield, which is great and deservedly so. He’s done a lot for this university. It’s an honor to be compared to him.

“I wouldn’t say I’m exactly like him, but it’s definitely cool to be [thought of in] such a high status. I don’t think of it as pressure, though – I just see it as an opportunity.”