John Mateer Faces Pivotal Decision After Oklahoma's Playoff Exit
Now that Oklahoma’s season is in the books following a 34-24 loss to Alabama in the opening round of the College Football Playoff, all eyes turn to quarterback John Mateer. The redshirt junior has a major decision ahead: declare for the 2026 NFL Draft or return to Norman for one final year of eligibility.
If Mateer knows which direction he’s leaning, he’s not saying just yet.
“Yeah, I haven't really thought about it yet,” Mateer said after the loss. “I'm pretty sure I'll take some time and weigh all the options, and we'll see.”
It’s a crossroads moment for a quarterback whose journey this season has been anything but straightforward. After transferring from Washington State, where he lit up the scoreboard with 44 total touchdowns the previous year, Mateer arrived in Norman with high expectations. And for a while, he looked the part of a dynamic dual-threat playmaker.
But a thumb injury in Week 4-on his throwing hand, no less-changed the trajectory of his season. Mateer finished that game, underwent surgery, and missed just one contest, but the effects lingered.
He ended the year completing 62.2% of his passes for 2,885 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions over 12 games. Solid numbers on the surface, but the tape tells a more complicated story.
Even before the injury, Mateer’s decision-making raised eyebrows. Turnovers and misfires were a recurring issue, though early-season opponents often failed to capitalize.
Once the schedule stiffened, those mistakes became more costly. And while the injury certainly didn’t help, it wasn’t the only reason for his uneven play down the stretch.
Still, there’s a reason Mateer’s name continues to pop up in draft conversations. Mel Kiper Jr. currently ranks him as the fourth-best quarterback prospect in the class. And in a quarterback crop that’s widely considered underwhelming compared to what’s expected in 2027, that carries weight.
So here’s the dilemma: does Mateer bet on his upside now, enter the draft, and try to prove himself on the NFL stage despite the late-season struggles? Or does he run it back at OU, get fully healthy, and try to sharpen his game in what will likely be a deeper and more competitive quarterback class next year?
There’s risk either way. Declaring now means entering the league with questions still swirling about his consistency and decision-making. But staying another year brings its own challenges-namely, the pressure to elevate his game in a tougher draft landscape while avoiding injury and further scrutiny.
Mateer’s raw tools and past production make him intriguing to scouts. But his 2025 season raised just enough doubts to complicate what could have been a slam-dunk decision. Now, it’s about weighing projection versus production, potential versus polish.
For now, Mateer is taking his time. And given what’s at stake-for both his football future and the Sooners’ outlook in 2026-it’s hard to blame him.