“FIRE IN THE AIR RAID: Oklahoma OC Ben Arbuckle Sends Bold Message to WRs to ‘Go Take It’ While Cementing John Mateer as Offensive Catalyst for 2025 SEC Grind”

Ben Arbuckle didn’t waste time making his presence felt as Oklahoma’s new offensive coordinator. When fall camp opened on July 30, 2025, his message to the wide receiver room was direct, emphatic, and unmistakable: “If you want it, go take it.” In just six words, Arbuckle both issued a challenge and drew a line in the sand for a position group that underwhelmed in 2024. The Sooners, who are eyeing a significant leap in their second full season as SEC members, will rely heavily on Arbuckle’s Air Raid concepts, and he knows the system only works if the receivers execute with aggression, precision, and hunger. For a room still recovering from last season’s turbulence—marked by injuries, inconsistency, and underwhelming production—Arbuckle’s words carry more than motivational weight; they carry expectation.

There is no room for passiveness in Arbuckle’s offense. Known for its tempo, wide-open spacing, and high-volume passing, the Air Raid depends on timing, chemistry, and competitive fire. Arbuckle’s approach is unapologetically intense. He doesn’t want receivers to wait for opportunities to be handed to them; he wants them to rip those opportunities out of thin air. “If you want it, go take it” wasn’t just a motivational platitude—it was a direct call to action. With an offense built around a seasoned and savvy quarterback in John Mateer, there is little excuse for missed connections or mental lapses. Arbuckle wants guys who demand the ball, know their routes, and refuse to be covered.

Part of that fiery challenge came with a recognition of the room’s potential. Arbuckle didn’t just issue criticism or ultimatums—he made it clear that there is talent in Norman. He singled out sophomore Zion Kearney, calling him a “big-time player” and hinting that the second-year wideout could emerge as a breakout star in 2025. Kearney, who showed flashes of brilliance as a true freshman before injuries and rotational chaos stunted his momentum, represents the kind of explosiveness Arbuckle covets. He’s big, fast, physical, and capable of creating mismatches downfield. If he puts it all together, he could be the WR1 this offense needs to thrive in the SEC gauntlet.

But it’s not just Kearney who has caught Arbuckle’s eye. The coordinator also praised transfer tight end Kaden Helms, noting his versatility as a key piece in both the passing and running games. Helms can line up in multiple formations, block at a high level, and stretch defenses vertically with his speed and hands. Arbuckle sees him as a chess piece who can create mismatches and open up the middle of the field for other targets. That’s critical in an Air Raid system, where space is king and defenders must be manipulated with motion, alignment, and deceptive personnel groupings.

Adding further intrigue to the reshaped receiver room are newcomers like Isaiah Sategna and Javonnie Gibson. Sategna, a transfer with elite track speed, brings an element of explosiveness the Sooners lacked last year. He’s the kind of player who can turn a five-yard slant into a 70-yard score. Gibson, meanwhile, is a physical wideout with strong hands and body control who excels in contested-catch situations. Together, they deepen the unit’s talent pool and raise the competitive bar. Arbuckle’s message is clearly meant for players like these—to push them to go beyond just making the roster or cracking the rotation. He wants them to own their role, earn their reps, and play with the kind of edge that defines championship programs.

At the center of it all is John Mateer. The redshirt junior quarterback officially had his role solidified by Arbuckle heading into fall camp. There was no quarterback controversy. No whisper of open competition. Arbuckle made it clear that Mateer is the leader of this offense, not just because of his talent, but because of his presence. He described Mateer as someone who “brings people together,” a signal-caller who doesn’t just throw passes but commands huddles, corrects mistakes, and lifts the standard. That matters in a conference like the SEC, where leadership can’t be faked and every week presents a new heavyweight fight.

Mateer’s 2024 campaign speaks for itself. After transferring from Washington State, he quickly acclimated to the Sooners’ system and emerged as a playmaker in a difficult transitional year. He finished the season with 3,139 passing yards and 44 total touchdowns—numbers that would be eye-popping in any system, but especially so considering the lack of continuity and health at receiver. Mateer’s ability to extend plays with his legs, diagnose defenses pre-snap, and deliver on-time throws made him a stabilizing force. Now, with Arbuckle fine-tuning the offense and the receiver room reloaded, Mateer is positioned for an even bigger breakout.

Arbuckle and Mateer are kindred spirits in many ways. Both are cerebral, fiery, and deeply committed to preparation. Arbuckle has often said that Mateer’s grasp of the playbook reminds him of veteran QBs he’s coached in the past, and that understanding allows the offense to operate at warp speed. With Mateer fully entrenched as the starter, Arbuckle can build his schemes with complete clarity, tailoring route concepts and tempo to fit his quarterback’s strengths. That synergy will be crucial as Oklahoma navigates its brutal 2025 SEC schedule, which includes showdowns against Texas, Alabama, LSU, and Georgia.

The Air Raid, for all its flair and fireworks, is not a gimmick. It’s built on repetition, timing, and belief. Arbuckle believes in Mateer. He believes in the scheme. And now, he wants to see if the receivers believe in themselves. That’s why his message was so firm. This isn’t about waiting your turn or hoping to impress in scrimmages. This is about seizing the moment. Arbuckle’s coaching style isn’t for the faint of heart. He demands effort on every route, attention to detail on every alignment, and production on every snap. If you’re not cutting it, he’ll let you know. And if you are, he’ll elevate you.

That kind of accountability culture is exactly what Oklahoma needs as it tries to regain its place among college football’s elite. The 2024 season, while not a disaster, was clearly a step back. The Sooners finished 8-5, struggled in key SEC matchups, and never found an offensive identity after injuries mounted. Arbuckle’s arrival is intended to reset the tone. He isn’t just installing plays—he’s installing urgency. Fall camp is now more than just practice; it’s a proving ground. Every rep matters. Every catch is evaluated. And every player is being watched to see who will respond to the call.

It’s no surprise that several young players are already emerging in camp as guys who’ve embraced that challenge. Kearney, as mentioned, has taken reps with the first-team offense and has looked sharp in seven-on-sevens. Sategna has drawn buzz with his deep speed, routinely burning corners down the sideline. Helms has been used in creative ways during red zone drills, suggesting Arbuckle plans to make him a featured part of the passing game. Even under-the-radar names like redshirt freshman Braxton Lott and early enrollee Brandon Campbell have flashed in practice, showing the kind of competitive edge Arbuckle has been preaching.

Still, camp is only the beginning. Arbuckle’s words will linger throughout the preseason, echoed in every position meeting and every film session. The receivers know they’re on notice. They know they have to show up, stand out, and stay consistent. There is no clear WR1 yet. That’s intentional. Arbuckle wants someone to earn it, to rise above the rest, and make it impossible to be left off the field. That hunger is what separates good teams from great ones, especially in a conference as stacked as the SEC.

As the August 30 opener against Illinois State looms, the Sooners will continue grinding under the hot Norman sun, fueled by Arbuckle’s intensity and Mateer’s leadership. That opener may not be the biggest challenge on the schedule, but it will set the tone. How crisp the receivers run their routes, how confident they look in their timing with Mateer, and how assertive they are in attacking the ball will say everything about how well Arbuckle’s message has been received. And rest assured, he’ll be watching closely.

In the end, the 2025 Oklahoma offense will go as far as its receivers take it. The Air Raid can only fly if the wings are sharp, fast, and relentless. Ben Arbuckle has built the runway. John Mateer is ready to launch. Now the question is simple—who’s going to step up and take the ride? For those wideouts in the room, the opportunity is there. Arbuckle already told them what they need to do. If you want it, go take it.