Oklahoma’s quarterback conversation has gotten loud fast, and the backup at the center of it is Whitt Newbauer.
After John Mateer’s rough showing against Georgia, plenty of Oklahoma fans have started wondering whether a change is coming. Through four games, Mateer has thrown eight touchdowns and four interceptions, and the Georgia game included two disastrous fumbles. His 59.4 quarterback rating ranks 70th in the country, a number that sits well below the standard Oklahoma expects at the position.
That has pushed Newbauer into the spotlight. The Mercer transfer arrived at Oklahoma in 2025, and he was the starter as a true freshman at Mercer in 2024. That season gave Oklahoma enough to work with, and enough to believe there might be something worth developing.
The biggest selling point starts with where he puts the ball. Newbauer is not just a quarterback who completes passes; he has shown an ability to locate throws in places that help his receivers and keep defenders from getting a clean shot at the ball. With Oklahoma’s talent at receiver, that kind of placement could be the difference between a big gain and a heavy hit.
Then there’s the frame. Newbauer is listed at 6-foot-6 and 237 pounds, which would make him the tallest and heaviest starting quarterback in the SEC.
That size comes with serious arm strength, and reports about his throwing power followed him through spring and fall camp. A quarterback with that kind of presence in the pocket could be exactly what this offense has been missing.
Still, the concerns are obvious. Newbauer has played only one competitive season, and that came at Mercer.
He did face Alabama there, and in that game he threw for more passing yards than John Mateer did in Tuscaloosa during the 2025 season. Mercer went 7-1 in the Southern Conference, then reached the FCS playoffs before losing to North Dakota State.
But going from that level to SEC quarterbacking is a massive leap. Oklahoma’s offensive line has struggled again this year, and Newbauer may not have the protection to simply stand tall and let it rip.
His Mercer film shows he can move when needed, but he is not the shiftiest player. SEC pass rushers are going to be faster than anything he has seen in a real game so far, and that could be a problem.
Whether Oklahoma makes a switch or not, the offense clearly needs something to change. Fans are not demanding a Heisman run or a perfect attack. They just want signs of life.
If the Sooners can get the offense moving even at a mediocre level, they’ll have a chance to win games. If not, the outlook for the season gets ugly in a hurry.
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