Oklahoma Quarterback John Mateer Earns Another Preseason Watch List Nod, Adding Momentum to His Rising Star Status in Norman
The summer spotlight continues to shine on John Mateer.
The Oklahoma Sooners quarterback has officially landed on yet another prestigious preseason watch list — his third of the offseason — further cementing his rise as one of college football’s most intriguing breakout candidates. With the 2025 season fast approaching and Oklahoma entering the SEC with major expectations, Mateer’s name continues to circulate as a key figure in the Sooners’ success.
This latest honor sees Mateer nominated for the Manning Award Watch List, joining a short list of quarterbacks who not only produce on the field but demonstrate exceptional leadership, poise, and the potential to dominate under pressure. It’s the latest in a string of acknowledgments that suggest the Sooners have something special brewing behind center.
For a player once viewed as a developmental piece, Mateer’s rapid emergence into a preseason headliner reflects both personal growth and the coaching staff’s unwavering belief in his abilities. This fall, all eyes in Norman — and across the SEC — will be watching to see how far he can take this team.
Mateer’s journey to this point hasn’t followed the script most elite college quarterbacks write. He wasn’t a five-star prospect with fanfare and fan clubs. He didn’t walk into Oklahoma as a ready-made starter. In fact, many fans didn’t even know his name during his first year on campus.
But quietly, steadily, he went to work.
Under the guidance of head coach Brent Venables and quarterbacks coach Joe Jon Finley, Mateer has developed into a dual-threat weapon who’s just as comfortable reading zone coverage as he is taking off and scrambling for a first down. His growth in the playbook, coupled with improved accuracy and footwork, has turned him into one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the SEC — and now, a name frequently mentioned in national conversations.
The Manning Award nod joins his previous placements on the Davey O’Brien Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Watch Lists. Each of those honors focuses not only on production but on leadership, character, and overall impact.
In those categories, Mateer shines.
Though he hasn’t yet been Oklahoma’s full-time starter, Mateer has shown flashes that suggest he’s more than ready to lead. In limited action last season, he completed 71 percent of his passes for 426 yards and 5 touchdowns without an interception. He also rushed for 212 yards and 3 scores, often coming in to spell Dillon Gabriel and add a new dimension to the offense.
His passer efficiency rating ranked among the best in the conference for players with at least 40 attempts, and his red zone decision-making earned praise from Venables, who described Mateer as “calm, calculating, and confident when it matters most.”
While those stats were compiled in smaller sample sizes, they point to a larger truth: Mateer doesn’t just manage the game — he elevates it.
That’s why this offseason has been so critical.
With Gabriel moving on to the NFL, Mateer has taken the reins of the offense in spring practices and fall camp, earning the respect of teammates and solidifying his role as QB1.
According to offensive coordinator Seth Littrell, Mateer “controls the room now. He’s the voice in the huddle, the first in the film room, and the last off the field. He’s doing everything the right way.”
The Manning Award is especially unique because it’s the only quarterback award that takes postseason play into account. Its past winners read like a who’s who of elite signal-callers — from Joe Burrow to Bryce Young to Trevor Lawrence. That Mateer’s name appears on the preseason watch list signals that respected analysts, former players, and award voters believe in his upside.
That belief is also shared by national media. ESPN’s Bill Connelly recently listed Mateer as one of the “Top 10 Most Intriguing QBs for 2025,” noting his blend of athleticism, arm talent, and system fit.
“He’s got a lot of Jalen Hurts in him,” Connelly wrote. “Not just physically, but in how he’s grown through reps, built respect, and earned his moment.”
Former Oklahoma quarterback and Heisman winner Jason White echoed the sentiment.
“This kid is everything you want in a leader,” White said during a local radio hit. “He’s patient, hungry, and now it’s his time. I’m excited to see what he does.”
For the Sooners, Mateer’s rise couldn’t be better timed.
As Oklahoma transitions into its first season in the SEC, the program faces a brutal gauntlet of opponents, headlined by trips to Alabama, LSU, and Auburn. Having a stable, composed, and confident leader under center is critical — and that’s exactly what Mateer has become.
His familiarity with the offense, rapport with returning stars like Nic Anderson and Gavin Sawchuk, and command of the locker room make him the ideal person to lead Oklahoma through the conference storm.
More than that, Mateer is battle-tested in a way numbers don’t always reflect. He’s absorbed hits, watched film obsessively, adjusted to adversity, and emerged with his focus sharper than ever.
Venables, speaking to reporters at Big 12 Media Days, summed it up this way:
“John Mateer is what this program is all about. He’s earned everything. Nothing was handed to him. And now he’s ready to take us where we need to go.”
Mateer’s offseason has been filled with more than just practices and weightlifting. He’s spent countless hours organizing player-only workouts, leading 7-on-7 sessions, and building trust with his receivers.
“Every throw matters, every rep matters,” Mateer said during summer workouts. “When we’re in the fourth quarter at Death Valley or in Dallas against Texas, I want these guys to know I’ve got their back.”
That buy-in from teammates is evident. In interviews, both offensive linemen and skill players have spoken glowingly about Mateer’s leadership.
“He’s not loud or flashy,” said center Branson Hickman. “But when he talks, everybody listens. He holds you accountable without being a jerk. That’s rare.”
Wideout Jaquaize Pettaway, who’s expected to take a big leap in his sophomore year, said the team’s chemistry has “never been better,” and pointed to Mateer’s presence as a big reason why.
“He’s not just our quarterback,” Pettaway said. “He’s our captain.”
Of course, being Oklahoma’s quarterback means carrying a heavy burden.
This is a school that’s produced Heisman winners, first-round draft picks, and iconic moments under the lights. Every throw will be scrutinized, every decision analyzed.
But Mateer isn’t shying away from that.
“I welcome it,” he said. “Pressure just means people believe in you. That’s a gift.”
That mentality could be the difference-maker as the Sooners try to make their mark in the SEC. Mateer’s ability to stay grounded while playing with an edge could be the stabilizing force Oklahoma needs as they chase conference success and national contention.
And if he delivers, these preseason watch list nods won’t be the end of the conversation — they’ll just be the beginning.
John Mateer is no longer a backup, no longer an unknown, no longer waiting for his moment. He is the moment now.
With each watch list nomination, the spotlight grows brighter — and so does the belief that Oklahoma may have found its next great quarterback.
The legacy is there. The stage is set. And John Mateer is ready.
Watch out, SEC.
Boomer Sooner.
