Sooners' John Mateer is already helping Oklahoma in recruiting their next QB, and he hasn't even played a down yet
It's not often that you have one of your best players, if not your best player, helping the team find the guy who's going to replace him, while he is still at the school. Yes, it happens from time, but not often for a guy who hasn't even played yet. The Oklahoma Sooners got John […]
It's not often that you have one of your best players, if not your best player, helping the team find the guy who's going to replace him, while he is still at the school. Yes, it happens from time, but not often for a guy who hasn't even played yet.
The Oklahoma Sooners got John Mateer this offseason, a clear upgrade over what they had, and that's no slight at Jackson Arnold and Michael Hawkins. However, Mateer was one of the best quarterbacks in the country last year. Just look at the crazy numbers he put up. Yes, he was playing lesser competition, but he was always the best player on the field.
The Sooners only have him for this year and maybe next, if he decides to come back and not enter the draft. But he will likely be good enough to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. So, the Sooners still have to have a backup plan for 2026 at the QB position.
Michael Hawkins was a true freshman last season and showed some amazing flashes. But, he likely won't play this year, barring any injuries, so there is a chance that he will transfer after this upcoming season. But then again, if he wanted to do that, he would have done it this offseason when he knew that Mateer was coming in.
Either way, the Sooners will need a quarterback, whether it be a guy for depth that they can develop or a starter. This week, with Oklahoma having some of their official visits, Mateer helped recruit one top 2026 QBs.
According to Parker Thune of Rivals, Mateer has helped a lot with the recruitment of Bowe Bentley, one of the best QBs in the 2026 class. The Sooners like what they see in Bentley, and Mateer took it upon himself to not only help but jump in the photoshoot with Bentley.
And, for the recruit, that has to feel great. Mateer is one of, if not the best, QB in the country this year, and it's almost as if he is co-signing Bentley. And, to make things even better, he is helping with recruiting when he really doesn't have to.
