How the Sooners’ new leader grew on and off the field after a record-setting season
John Mateer’s first season as a starting quarterback looked like something out of a video game. He piled up 3,139 passing yards, 29 touchdown throws, and added another 826 rushing yards with 15 scores on the ground. His 44 total touchdowns tied for the most in the FBS. Yet, when Mateer looks back, the stats aren’t what stand out most. It’s what he learned away from the field that could shape him into Oklahoma’s next great quarterback.
Lesson 1: Block out the noise
Mateer admitted he spent too much time worrying about what others thought. Speaking on the Heisman Trophy Podcast, he said, “I was really worried about all the outside noise and everything. I was so young and looking back, I feel like a whole different person.” That shift in mindset, focusing only on those closest to him, may prove more valuable than any touchdown pass.
Lesson 2: Build bonds before playbooks
The transition to Norman was eased by familiarity. Offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle followed Mateer from Washington State, along with quarterbacks coach John Kuceyeski, who now serves as a senior analyst. With the same system in place, Mateer used his time to connect with teammates instead of cramming a new offense. “I just built relationships in the locker room because I didn’t have to sit in a meeting room and learn the offense,” he explained. “I could sit in the locker room and learn the players. And that’s huge.”
Lesson 3: Pick your moments to run
Mateer’s 178 carries last season showed his toughness, but SEC football will test that durability. He knows he can’t take as many hits, though he won’t shy away from key situations. “There’s nothing that can replace… being around the guys and learning the culture,” Mateer said. That same willingness to sacrifice will be needed when games get tight against the SEC’s physical defenses.
Oklahoma fans will expect big plays, but Mateer has learned that being a leader means more than piling up yards. It’s about trust, chemistry, and knowing when to put your body on the line. If last season was about growth, this season is about proving those lessons can carry the Sooners in their new conference home.
MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS:
