Oklahoma Icon Baker Mayfield Drops Wisdom on John Mateer as Sooners’ 2025 Quarterback Hype Train Gains Full Steam Ahead

When Baker Mayfield talks, Oklahoma listens. And when he speaks directly to the man who might lead the Sooners back to national relevance, the entire college football world leans in.

On July 19, 2025, the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner and Oklahoma legend welcomed campers to his annual youth football event in Norman. But this year’s iteration carried extra energy, fueled not just by drills or autograph lines, but by the presence of John Mateer — the transfer quarterback Mayfield believes could be the next great Sooners signal-caller.

Mateer’s transfer from Washington State to Oklahoma in January 2025 sent shockwaves through the college football scene. The 6-foot-1 dual-threat quarterback turned heads last season in the Pac-12, throwing for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns, and rushing for another six scores. His breakout campaign caught the eyes of several powerhouse programs. Miami made a full-court press, and North Carolina dangled a compelling pitch. But it was Oklahoma — and more specifically, a familiar voice — that ultimately won him over.

In a sit-down interview with On3 during the camp, Mayfield detailed a pivotal phone call he had with Mateer back in December 2024, just before the quarterback entered the portal.

“I told him, ‘If you want a place that will truly embrace you, this is it,’” Mayfield recalled. “Oklahoma’s not just about the wins. It’s about grit, legacy, and leadership. You earn your respect here, and they’ll ride with you forever.”

That message resonated with Mateer, who had long admired Mayfield’s own path from walk-on to national hero. The two stayed in contact throughout the process, and Mateer openly credits Mayfield as a guiding influence in his decision-making.

“Baker’s been honest with me from day one,” Mateer said. “He didn’t sugarcoat anything. He told me the expectations, the pressure — but he also talked about the reward. Playing for something bigger than yourself. That hit home.”

Mayfield, now entering his third season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has taken on a mentor-like role with Mateer, offering pointers not just on footwork and schemes, but on how to thrive under Oklahoma’s notoriously bright spotlight.

“He reminds me a lot of myself,” Mayfield said. “He’s a hard worker, wears his emotions on his sleeve, and plays with that edge. I’ve watched his film — he’s got the arm talent, the mobility, and the toughness you need in this league.”

That film — a blend of sideline-skirting scrambles, tight-window lasers, and poise under pressure — turned Mateer into one of the most coveted quarterbacks in the portal. But beyond his physical tools, what drew Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle to him was his leadership and resilience.

“He’s a guy you want in your foxhole,” Arbuckle said in a spring presser. “Smart, hungry, and humble. You can build around that.”

In a sense, Mateer’s arrival represents a reunion. Arbuckle coached Mateer during his freshman year at Western Kentucky before both moved on — Arbuckle to Mississippi State, then Oklahoma, and Mateer to Washington State. That preexisting familiarity with the offense and Arbuckle’s aggressive air-raid approach helped seal the deal for Mateer.

But no factor loomed larger than the chance to walk a similar path to Mayfield, a walk-on turned icon who forever changed Oklahoma’s modern quarterback legacy.

“It’s not just about putting up numbers here,” Mateer said. “It’s about becoming part of something. The quarterbacks who’ve come through here — Baker, Kyler, Jalen — they didn’t just win games, they made history. That’s the goal.”

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Mateer’s debut season in Norman. The Sooners are coming off a disappointing 6-7 record in 2024, a campaign marred by inconsistency at quarterback and a defense that struggled to close games. Fan frustration grew as the season spiraled, culminating in a blowout bowl loss that underscored the program’s need for a reset.

Enter Mateer, whose arrival — along with a reported $3 million NIL deal — has sparked a sense of hope, urgency, and belief within the fan base.

“I didn’t come here to rebuild,” Mateer said during spring practice. “I came here to compete for championships.”

He’s backed those words with action. Throughout spring ball and early summer workouts, Mateer has drawn rave reviews from teammates for his intensity, film study habits, and vocal leadership.

“He’s already got the locker room,” said senior wide receiver Jalil Farooq. “You can feel the shift. He’s bringing that swagger back.”

Oklahoma’s coaching staff is also leaning into Mateer’s strengths. Arbuckle has installed more RPO packages and quick-read concepts to highlight Mateer’s fast release and mobility. The Sooners’ offensive line — a point of concern last year — returns three starters and added two SEC transfers to provide protection.

Defensively, Venables believes an influx of experienced players and returning starters will take pressure off the offense to win shootouts. But make no mistake — Mateer is the centerpiece of the Sooners’ 2025 blueprint.

“Leadership starts at quarterback,” Venables said. “And we believe John can be that leader.”

For Mayfield, watching Mateer step into the role he once held comes with pride and perspective. Though now firmly rooted in the NFL, his heart remains tethered to Norman. The camp he hosts every year isn’t just a photo op — it’s a pilgrimage.

“Every time I come back, I remember why this place is special,” Mayfield said. “It’s the people, the passion, the expectations. And now John gets to carry that.”

The hype around Mateer is real. ESPN placed him as the No. 3 most impactful transfer in the country. Fox Sports tabbed him as a dark horse Heisman candidate. And social media is abuzz with clips of Mateer dropping dimes in 7-on-7 drills with captions like “Mayfield 2.0.”

But for all the comparisons and anticipation, Mateer knows his path will be uniquely his own.

“I appreciate the love, but I’m not trying to be the next Baker,” he said. “I’m trying to be the first John Mateer.”

Even so, Mayfield will be watching — and cheering — every step of the way.

“I told him, ‘You’ve got the keys now. Just don’t forget why you wanted them,’” Mayfield said. “If he plays the way I know he can, Sooner Nation’s going to fall in love with him.”

As Oklahoma looks to climb back to the mountaintop, the fusion of legacy and new blood could be the formula. With Baker Mayfield offering wisdom from the past and John Mateer ready to write his chapter, the 2025 season might be the start of something special in Norman.

The Sooners are no longer a team searching for identity — they have a face, a fire, and, if all goes well, a future worth betting on.