John Mateer battled injuries and carried the Oklahoma Sooners through a tough season, yet ESPN placed him surprisingly low
ESPN college football writer Bill Connelly's recent pre-spring quarterback rankings should have OU fans fired up for the 2026 season. Released on Thursday, Connelly's list places Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer at a lowly 19th among Power 4 signal-callers.
While Connelly acknowledges Mateer's unique workload and entertaining style, the ranking feels like a blatant slight against a player who carried OU through a grueling 2025 campaign, overcame adversity, and positioned himself as a potential Heisman contender for the upcoming year.
Let's break down why this placement is not just low but outright disrespectful, drawing on Mateer's proven track record and the context of his performance.
First, consider the sheer physical and statistical demands Mateer shouldered in 2025. As Connelly himself notes in his write-up: "Only four quarterbacks attempted more than 440 dropbacks and more than 120 non-sack rushes in 2025; only Mateer did it in 12 games."
That's right—Mateer handled an elite-level workload in fewer outings than his peers, all while playing through a broken thumb that required surgery after the Auburn game in late September. Despite the injury, he finished with 2,885 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions on a 62.2% completion rate, complemented by 431 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground.
His QBR of 65.1 might not scream elite, but it came in the SEC's unforgiving gauntlet, where he started 12 of 13 games and missed just one due to the thumb issue. This wasn't a cushy schedule; it was a baptism by fire in Norman, and Mateer emerged as the engine of a 10-3 team that reached the College Football Playoff.
What Connelly's ranking glosses over is Mateer's trajectory as a Heisman favorite early in 2025. Before the injury, Mateer rocketed to the top of oddsmakers' lists after dominant wins over Michigan and Auburn, showcasing his dual-threat prowess. He was the talk of the nation, with analysts praising his poise and playmaking.
Even post-injury, when he admitted he wasn't "feeling himself" fully, Mateer delivered in crunch time. Remember those fourth-quarter heroics against Tennessee, Alabama, and LSU? He engineered incredible game-winning drives. These weren't flukes; they were the hallmarks of a quarterback who wins games, period.
OU's playoff run, as Connelly points out, was defense-driven, but Mateer's ability to make "big plays" in high-stakes moments was pivotal. Ignoring this clutch factor in favor of nitpicking "mistake-prone games" feels like cherry-picking to justify a low rank.
Moreover, Mateer represented a massive upgrade from predecessor Jackson Arnold, who struggled with consistency and turnovers in prior seasons. Under new coordinator Ben Arbuckle, Mateer stabilized the offense, leading OU to victories over ranked opponents and a top-10 finish.
He won a lot of games in his debut SEC season, transforming a transitional team into a playoff contender. Connelly's commentary admits Mateer "could do so again in 2026 now that he knows the SEC landscape a bit better," yet slots him behind less-proven talents.
Take Bryce Underwood of Michigan, ranked 17th by Connelly. Mateer outplayed Underwood head-to-head in one of his standout 2025 performances, throwing for 270 yards, with three total touchdowns, and rushing for 74 in a 24-13 win over the Wolverines. Underwood, a five-star freshman, posted solid but inferior numbers (2,428 yards, 11 TDs, nine INTs), yet gets the nod ahead? That's the definition of disrespect.
Looking ahead to 2026, OU doesn't even need Mateer to be "elite" in the mold of past Sooner legends like Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts, or Caleb Williams to compete for the SEC title and another CFP berth. The defense, which ranked top-10 in points allowed last year, returns key pieces and should carry the load.
An improved offensive line and a bolstered run game—featuring returning backs like Xavier Robinson—will ease the pressure. Mateer's goal? Limit mistakes and strike when opportunities arise.
But with an explosive receiving corps on the horizon, including speedsters like Isaiah Sategna III, reliable target Trell Harris, and emerging star Parker Livingstone, the passing attack could soar. Sategna's deep-threat ability (averaging 14.4 yards per catch in 2025) pairs perfectly with Mateer's arm strength, while Harris and Livingstone provide possession options to keep drives alive. If this group gels, Mateer could easily vault into Heisman contention again.
Connelly calls Mateer "super fun" for neutrals, even if he doesn't improve—a backhanded compliment that underscores the ranking's flaw.
Fun? Sure, but Mateer's more than a highlight reel; he's a winner who's earned respect through grit and growth.
Ranking him 19th ignores his Heisman buzz, injury resilience, clutch performances, and the supportive cast around him. As OU gears up for 2026, expect Mateer to use this as fuel, proving doubters wrong one big play at a time.