John Mateer reveals unique way he established himself as Oklahoma team leader

Oklahoma has a history over the past decade of producing strong starting quarterbacks. John Mateer hopes to be the next one.

2025 will be Mateer’s first with the program after transferring in from Washington State alongside new Sooners offensive coordinator and QB coach Ben Arbuckle this offseason. The two are expected to lead the offense to greater heights than what they saw in 2024. However, Mateer revealed that he wasn’t handed his spot as a leader on OU’s offense.

“I was fortunate because I didn’t have to learn a whole new offense,” Mateer said at SEC Media Days. “I was able to take time and learn from the players that I was going to play with, build relationships in the locker room and hang out with them and help them learn offense. Because better relationships are the most important thing in leading is that you can’t lead people you don’t know. They’re not going to trust you if they don’t know you.

“That was super important to me. They embraced me, it wasn’t all me. They embraced me. They put me in the front of the line. The players put me in the front of line first day of workouts. I just wanted to do it by my work. I didn’t want to say a whole lot and be like, ‘Oh, I’m the leader,’ this and that. I didn’t try to do that — I just wanted to work as hard I as I could to prove to them then I was capable of leading.”

Mateer already had a strong reputation coming in given the success he enjoyed at Washington State. He finished the 2024 season having thrown for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

He also showcased his dual-threat abilities having scored an additional 15 touchdowns on the ground to go along with 826 rushing yards. He was Washington State’s leading rusher last season.

However, Mateer will have his hands full during his first season with the Sooners. OU’s schedule also features key matchups such as home games against Michigan, Auburn, Ole Miss and LSU. On the road they’ll face the likes of South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama. Of course, the Red River Rivalry looms over both the Oklahoma and Texas football programs.

First, Oklahoma will kick its season off against Illinois State in what will serve as a tune up match for the Sooners. That game is set for Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. ET and will air live on ESPN+.