​One of the biggest storylines for the Oklahoma Sooners this offseason is quarterback John Mateer’s progress. Mateer joined Oklahoma as a top transfer in the 2025 cycle after a strong 2024 season at Washington State, where he threw for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns with seven interceptions, and rushed for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns. He followed his offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle to Norman, but his first year with the Sooners started with promise before a broken thumb in his fourth game altered his trajectory. He finished the season with 2,885 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, and his efficiency dipped in conference play. Mateer has discussed how the thumb injury pushed him toward a more sidearm release, as grip issues affected his mechanics on certain throws. He has sought help from a quarterback guru who has worked with NFL star Josh Allen, as noted by SoonerScoops’ George Stoia on The Paul Finebaum Show. The guru’s training, including biometrics and other advanced methods from Josh Hess, is aimed at refining Mateer’s throwing motion and restoring his form.
Despite this encouraging development, it’s likely Mateer will retain more of a sidearm release rather than returning to a traditional drop-back. The focus for him, however, should be improving footwork and decision-making rather than an overhaul of his entire mechanics mid-development. The thumb injury explained part of his struggles, but not all of them; he has admitted that his eyes were sometimes slow to read the defense under pressure and on post-snap reads. This offseason, Mateer has been working with Brent Venables, reviewing film and preparing for a potential breakout season in 2026 if his decision-making and timing improve alongside his physical recovery.