​It’s clear that Oklahoma needs to bolster support around quarterback John Mateer for the 2026 season. During the 2025 campaign, the Sooners struggled to find reliable playmakers beyond wide receiver Isaiah Sategna, and their rushing attack was a notable weak point. Oklahoma finished No. 113 in the nation in rushing, averaging only 118.5 yards per game. No running back surpassed 500 rushing yards, which left Mateer to shoulder a heavy load with 149 rushing attempts and eight rushing touchdowns, leading the team in both categories.
Sategna was the top receiving threat, finishing the year with 965 receiving yards. Deion Burks was second with 620 yards, but his season was marked by inconsistency. Burks had two 100-yard games, yet four contests with under 20 receiving yards, highlighting the uneven production at the position.
For Oklahoma’s offense to take a meaningful step forward, the Sooners need another receiver to emerge alongside Sategna and must see a significant uptick in production from the running game. Chris Low of On3 has emphasized that those improvements are essential to unlocking Mateer’s full potential in 2026. “One of the keys will be Oklahoma getting more production out of its running backs, and if so, that’s only going to free up Mateer to make more plays,” Low wrote. Last season, Mateer led the team with eight rushing touchdowns, but he was also sacked 25 times, including five times in the playoff loss to Alabama. A redshirt senior, Mateer could rise even higher in the rankings if the program builds around him, and he has already put in a tremendous offseason in the weight room and conditioning program.
The ceiling for Oklahoma’s offense in 2026 hinges on easing the pressure on Mateer. He has already demonstrated he can be a difference-maker, but asking a quarterback to lead the team in rushing while also carrying the passing game is not a sustainable path. If Oklahoma can establish a more dependable rushing attack and cultivate another trusted target for Mateer alongside Sategna, he has both the talent and experience to guide the Sooners into the national championship conversation.
This snapshot of the 2025 season provides a blueprint: improve the rushing attack, develop additional receiving options, and create a more balanced offensive dynamic around Mateer. If the Sooners can achieve that balance, Mateer’s upside could translate into a more potent, competitive Oklahoma offense in 2026.