John Mateer’s Stellar Spring Silences Doubts as Brent Venables Escapes Jackson Arnold’s Shadow and Begins Oklahoma’s Redemption Arc

The Oklahoma Sooners may have finally found the quarterback to anchor their transition into the new SEC era, and his name is John Mateer. A Washington State transfer with wheels, an arm, and a chip on his shoulder, Mateer has already begun reshaping the narrative in Norman. As early 2025 practices rolled on, Mateer didn’t just take snaps—he took control. And in doing so, he’s allowed head coach Brent Venables to start moving on from the haunting memory of Jackson Arnold’s 2024 season.

For a program still licking its wounds from a bruising 6-7 campaign, Mateer’s arrival couldn’t have come at a better time. Last season, the Sooners’ offense was nothing short of disastrous. Arnold, the once-celebrated five-star phenom, crumbled under the weight of expectations and relentless pass rushes, taking 34 sacks and throwing 13 interceptions. His tenure left fans disillusioned and Venables fending off doubters about his future in Norman. In Venables’ own words, “2024’s offense was an abomination.” Harsh, perhaps. Accurate? Painfully so.

But if the early signs are anything to go by, Mateer may be just the cure Oklahoma needs.

He’s not just winning the locker room—he’s winning the analysts, too. On3’s J.D. PicKell didn’t mince words when he called Mateer “an upgrade” over Arnold. That’s high praise given how much Arnold was hyped during his recruitment. Mateer’s 2024 numbers at Washington State tell the story of a playmaker: 3,139 total yards and 44 touchdowns, many of them coming from improvised plays and dual-threat wizardry. The Sooners haven’t had that kind of production since the days of Kyler Murray.

And speaking of comparisons, ESPN analyst Greg McElroy offered an eye-catching one: “He’s like a run-heavy Baker Mayfield.” That’s music to Sooner Nation’s ears. Mayfield didn’t just win games—he changed the culture. If Mateer can replicate even a portion of that, Venables may yet steer this program back to national relevance.

What makes Mateer such a compelling figure isn’t just his talent—it’s how seamlessly he fits into what offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle wants to do. The two share history. Arbuckle, who helped orchestrate Mateer’s explosive season in Pullman, now brings his system to Norman. It’s a reunion that may prove to be the Sooners’ most important offseason acquisition.

Arbuckle’s offense is fast, creative, and reliant on a quarterback who can extend plays. That’s Mateer in a nutshell. In spring scrimmages and closed practices, he’s reportedly operated with poise and precision, reading coverages quickly and avoiding the mistakes that defined Arnold’s ill-fated run. Coaches say he’s miles ahead in command of the playbook, and his teammates already speak of him like a veteran captain.

It’s a welcome change of tone for a locker room that has lacked consistent leadership under center since Caleb Williams bolted for USC. Mateer’s ability to mesh with key returning weapons—receivers like Jaquaize Pettaway and tight end Kaden Helms—has stood out. Those connections will be critical as Oklahoma steps into a rugged 2025 SEC slate that includes battles with Alabama, LSU, and Georgia.

Still, there’s no escaping the pressure on Venables. The third-year coach is in a make-or-break moment. While his defenses have shown flashes, his offenses have not. The 2024 campaign exposed flaws in both talent evaluation and scheme adaptability. But if Mateer thrives, he could do more than just win games—he could save his coach’s job.

The fan base, which once chanted Arnold’s name with the fervor reserved for program saviors, is now pivoting. There’s a new chant forming at spring events, one that echoes with cautious optimism: “Mateer Time.”

It’s not just that Mateer throws a better deep ball or reads blitzes faster. It’s how he carries himself. Coaches describe him as relentless, focused, and hungry. He’s taken to Oklahoma like a man on a mission, and it shows. In the weight room. In film study. On the field. His presence has injected belief back into a program that felt stale and stagnant just months ago.

Even with all the positive buzz, Venables and Arbuckle are tempering expectations. The SEC is no place for premature celebrations. Still, the early returns are promising. The offensive line—much maligned last year—is reportedly responding well to Mateer’s cadence and pocket awareness. His mobility has helped mask some of the unit’s ongoing struggles, allowing for more time in the pocket and reducing negative plays.

Importantly, Mateer’s leadership off the field may be just as valuable as his stats. He’s taken initiative in team-building activities, organizing player-only workouts and bonding sessions that have helped rebuild trust fractured during the chaos of 2024. It’s clear he views this as more than just a career stop—he’s all in.

That mindset is something Venables can build around. After all, Oklahoma’s move to the SEC demands not just talent, but toughness and unity. The Sooners have been searching for an identity since Lincoln Riley’s departure. With Mateer leading the offense and Venables doubling down on a physical, defense-first mentality, that identity might finally be taking shape.

Of course, the specter of Jackson Arnold still looms for some. There are those who wonder whether Arnold was given a fair shake, or if the offensive issues were more systemic than individual. But in football, perception is reality. And right now, John Mateer is changing perceptions with every rep, every throw, and every play-action scramble that ends in six points.

Heisman talk is already beginning to swirl—not in earnest, but as a whisper of what might be if everything clicks. For now, though, the focus is on getting better each day. Mateer has said as much himself: “I’m not here to be a hero. I’m here to help us win.”

That’s exactly what Oklahoma needs.

The 2025 season will be the program’s most scrutinized campaign in decades. The move to the SEC brings new eyes, new rivals, and new challenges. But with Mateer behind center, the Sooners finally have a reason to believe they can not only compete—but thrive.

And perhaps most significantly, Brent Venables finally has a quarterback who can banish the ghosts of seasons past. The John Mateer era has begun, and with it, a shot at redemption for Oklahoma football.