Brent Venables releases first public comments on signing of QB John Mateer
While preparing to end this season in the Armed Forces Bowl, Brent Venables was asked about the most exciting aspect going into the next one now for the Sooners with the portal pickup of Washington State QB John Mateer.
At a press conference ahead of the bowl game on Thursday, Venables commented on Oklahoma’s transfer addition of Mateer, the top-rated player during this cycle in the portal. It was brief in order to keep the focus on tomorrow’s game but made it clear how improved he will make them as a team and at quarterback.
“Well, again, excited about John,” Venables said today in Forth Worth. “I’m going to try to keep this to the game that’s in front of us right now. But, you know, John’s a leader. He’s experienced. He’s got great arm talent. Really good instincts. And, you know, he’ll make us better.”
Per the latest in On3’s 2025 Top Transfer Portal Players, Mateer is the No. 1 overall transfer and the No. 1 QB. That’s following Mateer’s third collegiate season at Wazzu.
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As their starter in a dozen games, Mateer was 224-347 (64.6%) for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He also rushed for 178 times for 826 yards, good for 68.3 a game, and 15 more scores as one of the best rushing quarterbacks this season. That adds up to an average of 330.4 total yards per game in scoring 44 touchdowns.
Upon his entry into the portal, Mateer did so with a do-not-contact tag. That further led into the belief that he would be following OC Ben Arbuckle, OU’s new offensive coordinator, to Norman. With his play-calling and Matter’s production, the Cougars had the No. 8 scoring offense in the nation at 36.8 ppg. along with an average of 440.4 yards of offense a game.
Again, Oklahoma has a bowl game to kick off tomorrow to end this fall either above or below .500 by a game. From there on will be when there can really be interest in what Mateer can be for them eight months from then.