Oklahoma Insider Puts John Mateer on Notice Following Brent Venables’ Quarterback Addition Through Transfer Portal to Shake Up Depth Chart

The college football offseason is rarely quiet in Norman, Oklahoma — especially with Brent Venables now entering his third year as head coach of the Sooners. The program is undergoing another wave of roster recalibrations, and this time the spotlight is on the quarterback room. Oklahoma has made a notable move through the NCAA Transfer Portal, a development that’s rippling through the locker room and raising questions about the future of John Mateer, a previously promising backup now potentially on the outside looking in.

The buzz started early when Oklahoma insider reports confirmed the Sooners were targeting experienced depth at the quarterback position. It became more than a rumor when Venables secured a commitment from a seasoned transfer — a dual-threat quarterback with Power Five starting experience — signaling the staff’s uneasiness about the current pecking order behind Dillon Gabriel’s successor, Jackson Arnold. While Arnold is entrenched as the starter heading into the 2025 season, it’s the battle for the No. 2 spot that just got a lot more complicated.

John Mateer has been seen as a developmental option, a redshirt sophomore who has shown flashes during mop-up duty and spring practices. Praised for his football IQ and work ethic, Mateer had quietly climbed into the backup conversation behind Arnold after Gabriel’s departure to the NFL. But that climb may have stalled with Oklahoma’s latest addition. According to a trusted program insider, the transfer quarterback isn’t arriving just to wear a headset. He’s coming to compete — and potentially take over in the event Arnold goes down or underperforms.

Venables, known for his aggressive roster construction, is sending a clear message: competition is the only guarantee in Norman. The new quarterback is expected to push Mateer for the backup role immediately and may even leapfrog him on the depth chart by the end of fall camp. The insider described the move as a “reality check” for Mateer, suggesting that Oklahoma’s staff has lingering concerns about whether he’s ready to lead the offense if needed in meaningful moments.

This development represents a pivot in how the Sooners are approaching their quarterback succession plan. After signing Arnold as a five-star gem in the 2023 recruiting class, Oklahoma envisioned a smooth handoff from Gabriel to Arnold, with a homegrown backup like Mateer ready to fill in if called upon. But in the current college football landscape, where depth can evaporate overnight due to injuries or transfer departures, relying solely on in-house development has become a gamble — one that Venables and offensive coordinator Seth Littrell are no longer willing to take.

It’s also important to contextualize this decision within Oklahoma’s recent experiences. Last season’s backup situation was relatively stable thanks to Gabriel’s durability, but the memories of quarterback chaos from previous years still linger. The 2021 season, for instance, devolved into uncertainty when Spencer Rattler was benched for a then-unproven Caleb Williams. Since then, the importance of having battle-tested depth at quarterback has become an organizational priority.

The transfer portal addition, whose name has not yet been publicly confirmed but is expected to be announced within days, brings with him a résumé Mateer can’t match: starts at a Power Five program, SEC road game experience, and a proven ability to move the chains with both his arm and legs. The Sooners are banking on that experience to insulate themselves from disaster, but it also creates tension inside the locker room — especially for Mateer.

Multiple sources close to the program have indicated that Mateer has responded professionally to the news, using the development as motivation rather than discouragement. However, the writing is on the wall: he’s now in a fight for relevance on a roster that just got deeper, and more unforgiving, at the most important position on the field.

For Mateer, the next few months are crucial. Spring camp has come and gone, but the summer conditioning period and fall practices will provide his best — and perhaps only — chance to prove he belongs in the quarterback conversation. He must show growth in decision-making, timing, and command of the offense. But most critically, he must show that he can make plays under pressure, something Oklahoma’s staff reportedly believes the incoming transfer already has demonstrated at a higher level.

There’s also the bigger picture to consider: Oklahoma is preparing for life in the SEC. The 2024 season was their final lap in the Big 12, and the 2025 campaign opens a new chapter in the sport’s toughest conference. In the SEC, depth isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity. Venables is adapting accordingly, even if it means uncomfortable conversations for players like Mateer who’ve patiently waited their turn.

The addition of a veteran quarterback through the portal also signals Oklahoma’s cautious optimism regarding Arnold. While the staff remains confident in his talent and upside, they also understand that young quarterbacks face growing pains. The new arrival provides a safety net — not only for injury contingencies but also for performance-based reassessment. If Arnold falters, the Sooners now have a more viable Plan B, something Mateer alone may not have provided to the staff’s satisfaction.

Still, the door isn’t shut on Mateer. One insider emphasized that “every job must be earned here,” and that Mateer can still carve out a role with strong performances in the coming months. He’s known for his attention to detail and strong rapport with teammates, especially on the scout team. If he elevates his play, there’s still a path for him to remain part of the quarterback equation. But to do that, he’ll need to outperform someone with real-game credentials and a chip on his shoulder of his own.

There’s also the possibility that this shift could prompt movement from Mateer himself. With the spring portal window recently closed and the next major window opening after the 2025 season, he’ll have limited flexibility if he chooses to seek a fresh start. That said, Oklahoma may view his continued presence as valuable insurance, especially as quarterback rooms nationwide become increasingly volatile due to transfer mobility and NIL-fueled decisions.

In some ways, Mateer’s story now mirrors that of many quarterbacks in today’s game. Promising recruits are often quickly overshadowed by transfers who bring immediate impact. It’s no longer about waiting your turn — it’s about seizing the moment before it passes. For Mateer, the urgency is now. If he wants to remain a Sooner and eventually see the field in a meaningful way, he has to rise to this challenge. That means outperforming a proven starter-in-waiting in practice and showing the kind of command that earns trust in high-pressure moments.

Venables, meanwhile, isn’t apologizing for creating this situation. If anything, it reflects his evolving philosophy as Oklahoma makes the leap into the SEC spotlight. Every position is up for grabs, and complacency won’t be tolerated. For the Sooners to compete against the likes of Georgia, Alabama, and LSU, they need every edge — and quarterback play is paramount.

The coaching staff’s message is clear: performance drives opportunity, not seniority, loyalty, or locker room tenure. That mindset has been baked into every decision Venables has made this offseason, from recruiting to retention to the transfer portal. And with the Sooners entering an era where a single loss can derail playoff dreams, depth at quarterback could very well be the difference between contending and collapsing.

As the summer heat rises in Norman, so too does the pressure within the quarterback room. John Mateer has a choice: elevate his game or risk being left behind. The transfer portal giveth and taketh away — and for Mateer, the next chapter will be defined not by what Oklahoma did, but by how he responds.