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Max Olson, ESPN Staff Writer
Washington State switch quarterback John Mateer has dedicated to Oklahoma, he introduced on social media Wednesday.
Mateer is the No. 1 general participant in ESPN’s switch rankings and joins the Sooners after a breakthrough season because the Cougars’ starter in 2024. He’ll have two extra seasons of eligibility.
Oklahoma employed Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and quarterbacks coach John Kuceyeski earlier this month and was lengthy thought-about the favourite to land Mateer if he transferred. Oklahoma held off a robust push from Miami to safe his pledge, sources instructed ESPN.
After backing up Cam Ward for 2 years, Mateer took over because the Cougars’ starter in 2024 and threw for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns on 65% passing. He was one of many prime dual-threat playmakers in FBS, rating sixth amongst all quarterbacks with 827 dashing yards and scoring 15 dashing touchdowns.
The 6-foot-1, 219-pound redshirt sophomore had a top-10 QBR amongst Group of 5 starters (71.4) over his 12 begins. The Cougars began 8-1 this season and have been as excessive as No. 18 within the College Football Playoff rankings earlier than closing with three consecutive losses.
After firing first-year offensive coordinator Seth Littrell halfway via the season, Oklahoma coach Brent Venables employed Arbuckle on Dec. 2. Mateer resolves a big want for this system after beginning quarterback Jackson Arnold opted to switch to Auburn.
Mateer, a local of Little Elm, Texas, was calmly recruited out of highschool and was dedicated to play on the FCS stage at Central Arkansas earlier than Washington State made a late supply in January 2022.
Washington State coach Jake Dickert accepted the job at Wake Forest on Wednesday, after longtime coach Dave Clawson determined to step down earlier this week.
Dickert and Washington State’s management had tried to barter a take care of Mateer to re-sign him for the 2025 season, however the coach mentioned his quarterback wished to “play on a much bigger stage” subsequent season.
“John would be the most sought-after participant within the portal,” Dickert instructed reporters Monday. “I believe he will be the most effective participant within the nation subsequent 12 months.”
In its first season as an SEC member, Oklahoma misplaced six of eight convention video games and went 6-6 within the common season. The Sooners rank No. 94 nationally in scoring offense at 24.3 factors per sport, their worst scoring common since 1998. Venables is relying on Mateer and Arbuckle, his rising 29-year-old offensive coordinator, to guide a turnaround in 2025.
Oklahoma will shut out its season towards Navy within the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on Dec. 27. Freshman quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. began three video games this season and was anticipated to begin for the Sooners within the finale.
