John Mateer Looks JACKED After Working With Josh Allen’s Trainer

John Mateer showed up to the Manning Passing Academy looking like a completely different guy, and Sooner fans are taking notice.

The Oklahoma quarterback has clearly put in serious work this offseason, adding muscle and getting stronger. The talk this week has been about how jacked he looks, and it’s not just for show. Mateer is getting himself ready for what could be a huge 2026 season.

When asked about his training, Mateer kept it simple but honest: “I’ve worked on getting stronger, just bettering my footwork and throwing better, setting my feet on the move. Also seeing the field clearer and connecting to secondary targets. It’s all about winning.”

Mateer isn’t doing this to look good for Instagram. He’s doing it to help the team win games.

After dealing with that hand injury last season, he’s coming back focused on being the best version of himself.

What’s really interesting is who he’s been working with. Mateer connected with Chris Hess, a biomechanics specialist best known for his work with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Hess uses three-dimensional motion-capture sessions to break down everything from arm path to release point to ground connection. He then builds a specific plan for improvement. That data got shared with Mike Keith, a longtime quarterback trainer who has worked with Mateer for years.

According to SoonerScoop, Keith had this to say about the changes he’s seen: “This is probably the best version of John Mateer I’ve ever seen, because he understands the rest of his body. He’s so dialed all day, and it’s being reinforced in practices and whatever he’s doing inside the facility. He puts in a ton of work on his own... People always talk about where the right arm is — the throwing arm — but it’s so much more than that. I think we uncovered all that stuff with Chris, learning and cueing up different things along the way. We’re almost to a point where John will throw a ball and, before I say anything, he’s telling me what I was going to say anyway. He’s feeling it to that level.”

Mateer isn’t just adding muscle for the sake of it. He’s understanding his body better, fixing mechanics, and becoming more efficient.

The fact that he’s working with the same trainer who helped transform Josh Allen is a big deal. Allen went from a raw, strong-armed quarterback to one of the best in the NFL partly because of that kind of detailed biomechanical work.

Mateer already showed what he can do when he’s healthy and rolling. Before the hand injury last September, he was leading the Heisman conversation. He was making big plays, pushing the ball down the field, and playing with a gunslinger mentality.

After the injury, things changed. The accuracy dipped, the turnovers went up, and the offense wasn’t the same.

This offseason work could be the difference. With a full healthy summer and another year in Ben Arbuckle’s system, Mateer should be even better.

The weapons around him are strong too. Isaiah Sategna, Parker Livingstone, Trell Harris, and the rest of that group give him plenty of options. If the offensive line improves and the run game becomes more consistent, Mateer won’t have to force things as much.

The Sooners have the pieces to be really good again this year. They have one of the best defenses in the country, good skill players, and a coaching staff that’s learned from the past few years.

If Mateer plays with that same confidence and the supporting cast does its part, this could be a special year in Norman.

Mateer is not resting on what he did last year. He’s trying to get better in every area. The Manning Passing Academy is always a good spot to get early looks at guys, and Mateer showing up jacked and dialed in has people talking.

If he can carry that same focus and physicality into the season, Oklahoma fans have every reason to be excited.

This feels like it could be a big year for Mateer and the program. The expectations are high, but the talent is there.

Now it’s time to go show everyone what he can do when he’s fully healthy and locked in.