Oklahoma has secured its high prize within the switch portal.
The Sooners landed a dedication from Washington State quarterback John Mateer by way of the switch portal on Wednesday. The redshirt sophomore arrives in Norman with two years of eligibility remaining.
Mateer — rated because the No. 1 general switch participant within the portal, per Rivals — entered the portal earlier on Monday. His vacation spot proved to be Norman, and touchdown Mateer is a seismic transfer for this system as they appear to rework their offense that’s in determined want of a makeover.
Mateer was largely unknown as a two-star recruit out of Little Elm, Texas within the 2022 class. He spent his first two years at Washington State as a backup and sat behind Cam Ward in 2023, finishing 15 of 19 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns in his first two seasons.
However, he emerged as a sizzling commodity in his first yr as a starter in 2024. With the steerage of then-offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, Mateer emerged as one of many high dual-threat quarterbacks in school soccer. As a passer, he is been prolific — he accomplished 224 of 347 makes an attempt (65%) for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. He ranks seventh nationally in passing yards per try (9.09), eleventh in yards per completion (14.01), 18th in passing yards per recreation (261.5) and tied for fifth in passing touchdowns.
He’s arguably been much more efficient as a runner. Arbuckle centered the Cougars’ offense round Mateer’s speeding skill, and it paid dividends. Mateer led the Cougars in speeding makes an attempt (178) yards (826) and touchdowns (15).
With Mateer on the helm, Washington State’s offense was among the many most explosive within the nation this previous season. The Cougars rank eleventh in scoring offense (36.8 factors per recreation), twenty third in complete offense, 14th in yards per play (6.65) and 14th in performs of 20 yards or extra (20).
Now, Mateer brings that dual-threat skill to Norman. In one transfer, Mateer provides the Sooners a reputable beginning choice and offers much-needed depth at quarterback. Prior to his dedication, the Sooners had simply two scholarship quarterbacks — Michael Hawkins and true freshman Jett Niu — on the roster heading into subsequent season.
The Sooners wanted depth regardless, and OU coach Brent Venables indicated Friday that they had been going to be lively of their seek for quarterbacks within the portal. But Mateer had been the highest precedence for weeks, and his arrival now provides the Sooners a transparent course transferring ahead.
Mateer will even be surrounded by acquainted faces upon his arrival. In addition to Arbuckle, who the Sooners employed as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach earlier this season, the Sooners are additionally anticipated to rent Washington State assistant John Kuceyeski as their new assistant quarterbacks coach.
Mateer is anticipated to battle with Hawkins this spring for the beginning quarterback job. Hawkins, a former 2024 four-star prospect, has began three video games this season and can lead the offense within the Armed Forces Bowl towards Navy on Dec. 27.
There are different strikes the Sooners might want to make within the portal, notably at broad receiver. The Sooners have had six wideouts enter the portal because it opened final week, together with Nic Anderson, Jalil Farooq and Andrel Anthony. However, they acquired some excellent news on Friday with Deion Burks‘ announcement that he’ll return for his senior season in 2025.
But with the Sooners shedding over 20 gamers to the portal up to now, and extra departures doubtless coming, Mateer’s addition is a much-needed constructive signal transferring ahead.
Mateer joins UAPB broad receiver Javonnie Gibson, Southern Illinois wideout Keontez Lewis, Kennesaw State punter Jacob Ulrich and Stanford offensive lineman Luke Baklenko because the staff’s different additions by way of the portal.
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