Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer and linebacker Kip Lewis announces return to OU, foregoing the 2026 NFL Draft
In a major boost for the Oklahoma Sooners football program, quarterback John Mateer and linebacker Kip Lewis have both announced their return for the 2026 season.
The duo, who played pivotal roles in the team's successful 2025 campaign, will bring experience and leadership back to Norman as the Sooners aim to build on their recent College Football Playoff appearance.
The announcements came on January 15, 2026, via the university's social media channels, sending waves of excitement through the fanbase and signaling a strong foundation for another competitive year in the SEC.
John Mateer, the dynamic quarterback who transferred to Oklahoma from Washington State ahead of the 2025 season, has elected to forgo the 2026 NFL Draft and return for his redshirt senior year.
Mateer, originally from Little Elm, Texas, but with strong ties to Oklahoma through his high school career, quickly became the stabilizing force the Sooners needed at the position. In 2025, he led Oklahoma to a 10-2 record, throwing for over 3,200 yards, 28 touchdowns, and just eight interceptions while adding 450 rushing yards and six scores on the ground.
His dual-threat ability meshed perfectly with offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle's system, which emphasized mobility and play-action passes. Mateer's decision comes after contemplation following the team's first-round exit in the College Football Playoff, where he threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns in a hard-fought loss.
Analysts had pegged him as a potential mid-round draft pick, but returning allows him to refine his skills and potentially elevate his stock while chasing a deeper playoff run.
Mateer's path to Oklahoma was anything but straightforward. After three years at Washington State, including a breakout 2024 season as the Cougars' starter where he amassed 2,900 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, he entered the transfer portal ranked as the No. 3 quarterback and No. 6 overall player available.
Choosing Oklahoma reunited him with Arbuckle, his former coordinator at WSU, and provided an opportunity to play in front of family and friends in his home region.
His return not only secures the quarterback room but also aids in recruiting and retaining talent, as evidenced by his involvement in luring transfer skill players during the offseason.
On the defensive side, Kip Lewis's return is equally monumental.
The star linebacker, who has been a mainstay in Brent Venables' defense, will come back for his final year of eligibility. Lewis, a product of Carthage, Texas, has started in 30 of the last 31 games for the Sooners, anchoring a unit that ranked among the top 15 nationally in total defense in 2025.
Last season, he led the team with 76 tackles, added four sacks, four pass deflections, and was third in tackles for loss, showcasing his versatility as both a run-stopper and coverage specialist.
His leadership as a team captain was instrumental in Oklahoma's turnaround from previous inconsistencies, helping the defense hold opponents to under 20 points per game on average.
Like Mateer, Lewis weighed NFL options but opted to return, a decision that aligns with the Sooners' aggressive moves in the transfer portal to bolster the roster.
The program has added key pieces such as tight end Hayden Hansen, wide receivers Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone, offensive tackle E'Marion Harris, and linebacker Cole Sullivan from Michigan.
With Lewis back alongside emerging talents like Kendal Daniels and Reggie Powers III, the defense is poised to remain elite. His return also complements the offense's continuity, with running back Xavier Robinson and wide receiver Isaiah Sategna (who also announced his return) providing familiar targets for Mateer.
The joint announcement was cleverly themed around their shared jersey number, No. 10, with the post reading "10²" – a nod to their combined impact.
This comes at a critical time, as the NCAA transfer portal window closes soon, and Oklahoma has already navigated losses like linebacker Kobie McKinzie while gaining depth.
Head coach Brent Venables, entering his fifth year, has emphasized building a championship-caliber team, and these returns are cornerstones of that vision.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Sooners are projected to have a loaded offense with four of five offensive linemen returning, both running backs, and now a veteran quarterback.
Defensively, the addition of Sullivan and the retention of Lewis should maintain their stingy reputation.
Oklahoma opens the season against UTEP on September 5, with a tough SEC slate including rivals like Texas and Georgia.
If Mateer and Lewis can replicate or exceed their 2025 performances, the Sooners could not only return to the CFP but make a deeper push toward a national title.
Fans and analysts alike are buzzing about "Team 132," as the program dubs its 2026 squad, with these returns injecting optimism and stability into what promises to be an exciting year in Norman.