Is John Mateer being written off nationally in 2026?

Returning Oklahoma Sooners starting quarterback John Mateer was one of the most talked-about quarterbacks in the entire country at this time last year, which was his first at OU. After following offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle to Norman from Washington State, he was hailed as one of the best transfer portal quarterbacks in the nation. Mateer, who led the FBS in total touchdowns with the Cougars in 2024, proved that hype right through the first month of the season, becoming the Heisman favorite in September, after leading OU to a 4-0 record.

Then, disaster struck when Mateer injured his hand in the fourth win, an injury that required thumb surgery. After missing just one game, Mateer did not have the same level of effectiveness down the stretch of the season. Though the Sooners made the College Football Playoff, they did so with a QB that was clearly not fully healthy, and an offense that had clear limitations.

After a loss in the first round of the CFP, Mateer decided to return for his redshirt senior season, and one college football analyst thinks that OU's quarterback may not be getting the recognition he deserves heading into his final collegiate season. On3's J. D.

PicKell, who hosts " The Hard Count with J. D. PicKell ", thinks that Mateer got an unfair reputation for the way he performed over his final eight games of last season, and believes that he'll be back to his September self if he can stay healthy for the Sooners this year.