Brent Venables crashed hard in 2024. A dismal 6-7 record, a measly two SEC wins, and a rapidly dwindling fan base—things were looking bleak in Norman. Oklahoma got absolutely bulldozed in their new conference, landing a lowly 13th in the standings. Poor Jackson Arnold? He was running for his life behind that porous O-line, getting sacked a whopping 34 times before finally bolting to Auburn. Now, the weight of the world rests on the shoulders of John Mateer, a versatile quarterback Venables is banking on to bring some order to the chaos. Will Mateer be the one to shut doubters like Paul Finebaum up?

SEC insider and Locked On Podcast Network host Corey Burton is highlighting Mateer, the one who recently jumped from the G5 level to the SEC, as one of the underrated quarterbacks in this class. According to Corey, John Mateer is a talented player despite a short-lived run on the field, but he has his doubts over Sooner’s roster. “I think there’s a lot of guys we haven’t seen a lot of snaps from, like John Mateer at Oklahoma, extremely talented, coming into a great system. I love the potential there; I just don’t know what that’s going to bring at a place like Oklahoma where their roster is kind of a mess,” he said. That’s kind of concerning.

Oklahoma’s 2025 recruiting class ranks 17th nationally and 10th in the SEC, but the numbers reveal a larger story. The Sooners usually bring in around 25 players each cycle, but this year they only signed 20. Now this decrease follows a tough 6-7 season and a last-place finish in the SEC. And if the team wants any success, this season Brent Venables needs to build momentum.

Moreover, John Mateer’s situation doesn’t look much brighter. He is playing behind an offensive line that struggled in 2024, allowing 46 sacks (132nd), ranking 127th in tackles for loss, and averaging a poor 3.5 yards per carry (112th). Injuries disrupted the line’s consistency, with 10 different linemen starting and nearly 50 games missed because of injuries. Unless Oklahoma improves their protection, Mateer will face challenges as he will spend more time evading defenders than making plays.

Look, despite all the setbacks, quarterback John Mateer isn’t just your average transfer—he’s a game-changer. This dual-threat playmaker dazzled defenses with 44 total touchdowns in his debut season as a starter, making him one of the most sought-after QBs in the market. Plus, after coming to Oklahoma, John is now listed at 25/1 to win the Heisman on FanDuel. With Jackson Arnold moving to Auburn, Mateer steps into the spotlight in Norman, facing a high-pressure situation.

While John Mateer’s talent is undeniable, he’s got a mountain to climb with that unforgiving SEC schedule ahead. Mateer must excel despite a vulnerable offensive line and the burden of a program eager to prove itself. Meanwhile, Paul Finebaum isn’t mincing words, expressing concerns about Brent Venables’ future.

Paul Finebaum’s clear warning to Brent Venables

It’s evident that Brent Venables enters 2025 with pressure mounting on him. With two 6-7 seasons in three years and a rocky start in the SEC, Oklahoma has struggled. The team has not faced such challenges since the John Blake era. Paul Finebaum is not holding back in his assessment. He said, “He [Venables] needs a big season because he’s had two bad seasons out of three. I wouldn’t press my luck with another one.”

Oklahoma Sooners rehired Brent Venables after Lincoln Riley left, counting on his defensive expertise and winning record. However, the Sooners have encountered difficulties, leading to doubts about his ability to manage this transition. Despite the mounting pressure, Venables is not idling. He has implemented changes and utilized the transfer portal, making amends for high-rated prospects like Michael Fasusi, Elijah Thomas, and C J Nickson.

But the 2025 schedule offers no respite. Oklahoma is going to play tough opponents like Tennessee, Alabama, LSU, Auburn, Texas, and Ole Miss—formidable matchups for a team still adapting to SEC play. This leaves John Mateer with no room for errors as he steps up to lead an offense that struggled due to a weak offensive line last season. The concern is not just about Venables’ survival but also about whether John Mateer can excel against elite college football defenses.