A recent poll of college football coaches and executives suggested that not only did the Oklahoma football program land the best quarterback in December’s transfer portal, but they got a player very similar to program legend Baker Mayfield.
Two-time Heisman Trophy Winner Baker Mayfield will go down as, arguably, the greatest player in the storied history of the Oklahoma football program. During his three seasons leading the Sooners offense, the team never won less than 11 games and lost just twice in the conference.
Following his departure after the 2017 season, the program has struggled to maintain the same level of dominant and consistent play. Sure, they have had some good seasons in the years since. But it has also been mixed with some very down years. Including a pair of 6-7 seasons in two of the last three years. That just won’t do, especially now that they are in a stacked SEC.
That is why the Oklahoma football program looked to address their biggest need in the transfer portal in December. And it seems many around college football believe they may have brought in a 2025 version of program legend Baker Mayfield.
- Oklahoma Sooners record (2024): 6-7
Oklahoma football program showered with praise for adding John Mateer
In December, it was reported that the Sooners had landed one of the best players available in the transfer portal. Washington State quarterback John Mateer. This week, The Athletic released a report where they got opinions from various college football coaches and executives about some of the best moves during the transfer window. And it seems many are high on the Mateer acquisition.
“Mateer from Washington State. He’s more Baker,” a Power 4 cornerbacks coach told the outlet. “I just feel you’ve got to be able to improvise and throw it off rhythm and make s— happen in that conference. … Mateer is more of a fit to make them competitive in the SEC.”
- John Mateer stats (2024): 3,139 passing yards, 826 rushing yards, 44 total touchdowns, 164.1 passer rating
“He still has some areas to get better at. His passing game, he can get better there, but he can extend, he’s tough, he’s a gamer, he’s smart. So I don’t see why he won’t be able to put it all together,” a Power 4 director of player personnel added.
Oklahoma football fans will be hoping Mateer is indeed the player that brings them back to prominence in 2025.