Ben Arbuckle explains his approach to handling backup quarterbacks at Oklahoma

Oklahoma knows its one and two when it comes to their depth chart at quarterback, with John Mateer followed by Michael Hawkins. With those two set, there comes the question of how best to prepare three, four, and so on at the position.

Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle answered a question about the readiness of the third-string quarterbacks and on for the Sooners while with the media on Wednesday. He said dedicating time to them on and off the field is the biggest thing, to the point where they can eventually trust them when the time comes.

“Yeah, well, with young guys, the biggest thing that you can always do? One is they have to be able to go out there and operate, right?” Arbuckle said. “You’re constantly in the meeting room, in the film room with them and holding them accountable whenever they make a mistake out there, you know, letting them know that this can’t happen again.

“It’s ultimately giving them the reps to go out there and watch them operate and giving them the confidence to go out there and operate. And, once they do something good, it’s one of those deals where they really like that feeling and so they’re like, ‘Okay, what was my process to do that?’ and then they’ll just keep on repeating that, repeating that, repeating that. And, ultimately, as a coach, you get to where like, okay, I really trust this guy. He can go out there. He can get the job done and do what we need him to do.”

Behind Mateer — transferring in as one of the top-rated quarterbacks in the portal this offseason — and Hawkins — who made seven appearances with four starts last year as a true freshman — Oklahoma has a pair of underclassmen in Whitt Newbauer and Jett Niu. Newbauer transferred in after making nine appearances, with seven starts, last year for Mercer, completing 56.4% of his throws for 1,398 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions to be a selection to the All-Southern Conference Freshman Team. Niu arrives as a three-star recruit and a Top-100 QB in 2025’s Rivals’ Industry Ranking.

Assuming all goes well in Norman, neither Newbauer and Niu won’t have to see actual snaps this fall. Still, in case they do, the offensive staff for the Sooners will continue to prepare them as such as they adjust.

“It’s all about teaching and getting more and more experience as you can,” Arbuckle said of their other young quarterbacks.