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OU quarterback John Mateer shares football journey with Kendel Dolby

headshotby:George Stoia•04/28/25•

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John Mateer. (Photo by: Carey Murdock - SoonerScoop/On3)

OU quarterback John Mateer has fit in well with his new Sooner teammates.

Mateer has ingratiated himself with the Sooners, so much so that he appeared on his teammate’s latest new YouTube show. Senior defensive back Kendel Dolby did a 30-minute, sit-down interview with the former Washington State quarterback. The two talked about Mateer’s journey to Oklahoma, as well as his expectations for next season.

“It’s a new mountain to climb, building relationships and playing in the SEC,” Mateer said. “Pressure is a term that’s whatever you make it… It’s an opportunity. I get a stage to show people who I am… Pressure can eat you up. I don’t let it get to me.

“There are comparisons to Baker (Mayfield) and the Heisman and all that, which is cool. But winning games is the ultimate goal.”

Mateer’s football journey is a unique one.

As he explains in the interview, he wasn’t highly recruited out of Little Elm High School.

“It pissed me off, it really did,” Mateer said. “I was a two-star recruit and then I signed with Washington State it brought me to a three-star. So right when that happened, I knew it was all BS. Stars don’t mean anything. For anyone watching this, stars don’t mean anything. They’re cute, but they don’t mean anything.”

Mateer also talked about his experience at Washington State, learning from now-OU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. He also spoke about his experience playing behind Cam Ward, was the No. 1 overall NFL Draft pick this year.

“I mean, obviously he’s really good,” Mateer said. “I just got to watch him — watch him practice and watch him workout. I watched him do his thing I learned what to do and what not to do. Like, those crazy plays he makes, I can’t make those so I don’t… I got to appreciate Cam and his greatness.”

As for what Mateer expects at OU next season, he’s looking forward to playing in front of a packed house at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. And he can’t wait to play at the Cotton Bowl.

“I think seeing the crowd at Michigan is going to be really cool,” Mateer said. “Playing against a big-time team in this stadium. And then the Texas game. Everybody’s excited for that game. I’ve been one time. Grew up in Dallas and been there one time. There’s just so many damn people… I’m so excited.”

You can watch the full interview with Mateer here.

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