Brent Venables knows the waters he is in. The SEC isn’t kind to those who don’t evolve, and after a rollercoaster 2024 season, Oklahoma Sooners‘ head coach is doing everything in his power to make sure his quarterback is set up for success. That quarterback? — the most electrifying player to hit Norman since Caleb Williams. Venables’ job security may be tied directly to how well John Mateer performs in his first season under center for the Sooners, and the HC isn’t leaving anything to chance. The competition is brutal, the expectations are sky-high, and the pressure? It’s mounting. But Oklahoma has something they haven’t had in a while — an ‘X’-factor at quarterback.

National analysts are already taking notice. On3’s J.D. PicKell went so far as to rank John Mateer third among all in his top 10 SEC QBs today ahead of several big names in the sport. “Oklahoma’s John Mateer, he might be college football’s best-kept secret,” PicKell said. And he’s got a point. Despite putting up elite numbers at Washington State — 3,139 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and 44 total scores — Mateer was often overlooked, playing in a Pac-12 conference that didn’t command national attention week in and week out. That’s about to change. The moment he steps onto the field in Norman, he’s going to be on every scout’s radar, every analyst’s watchlist, and every opponent’s game plan.

It’s not just the stats that have people buzzing. It’s how he plays the game. “Y’all, to be real, because he played at Washington State, not a lot of people got to watch his games,” PicKell continued. “You kind of know the name because he’s that Oklahoma transfer, and he goes over with his OC. To me, he is everything that Oklahoma has been missing offensively—playmaker, juice, ad-lib, all those things.” That’s exactly what Brent Venables has been searching for. With Jackson Arnold gone, the Sooners needed someone with the ability to create outside of structure.

That’s Mateer. He’s got the arm talent to push the ball downfield, the instincts to make something out of nothing, and the toughness to handle the physicality of the SEC. “I think he balls out next season for Oklahoma,” PicKell added. The challenge, of course, will be handling a schedule that won’t offer many breathers. That’s why Venables went all-in to ensure Mateer had a smooth transition, and that meant bringing in the right people to keep his quarterback comfortable. Enter Washington State quarterbacks coach John Kuceyeski, hired as Oklahoma’s senior offensive assistant and assistant quarterbacks coach.

The move wasn’t just about adding another coach to the staff; it was about continuity. Kuceyeski helped guide the Cougars to the 11th-ranked scoring offense in the country, working closely with Mateer and Cam Ward along the way. With Kuceyeski in the fold, Mateer isn’t just walking into a new program — he’s walking into a familiar system, with a coach who already knows exactly how to maximize his strengths.

And then there’s Ben Arbuckle, a name that should get Oklahoma fans excited. Well, if you haven’t heard of him, it’s time to get familiar. Arbuckle has quietly built a reputation as one of the brightest offensive minds in the country, molding quarterbacks like Austin Reed at Western Kentucky and Cam Ward at the Cougars into high-level performers. Now, he’s tasked with doing the same for Mateer, and the transition should be seamless. “He’s not playing catch-up at all,” PicKell noted. “He doesn’t have to hit the reset like you see other transfer quarterbacks have to do.” That’s huge. Most transfer quarterbacks spend their first few months learning an entirely new offense. Mateer? He’s already ahead of the curve.

With the pieces in place, the question now is simple: Can the 6’1″ sophomore deliver? The SEC is an unforgiving gauntlet, and Oklahoma won’t have the luxury of coasting through an easy schedule. But the Sooners have something they haven’t had in a while — stability at quarterback, a coaching staff that understands their signal-caller, and a system designed to let him shine.

John Mateer: The lone Sooner holding it down The Top 100 list

Oklahoma may have a rich football tradition, but heading into the 2025 season, only one Sooner cracked College Sports Network (CSN’s) Top 100 Returning Players list — and that honor belongs to John Mateer.

After a breakout season at WSC, Mateer now finds himself at the helm of Oklahoma’s offense, carrying big expectations on his shoulders. His ability to create magic outside of structure, paired with a strong, confident arm, made him one of the most talked-about quarterbacks in college football last season. Now, as he transitions into the bright lights of Norman, all eyes will be on him to lead the Sooners into a new era.

Mateer’s unique skill set and playmaking ability helped him secure a coveted spot on CSN’s Top 100 Returning Players list, an honor no other Oklahoma player received this year. While that might come as a surprise for a program as storied as the Sooners, it also speaks volumes about the faith in Mateer’s potential to make an impact.