Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer will return to play for the Sooners next season and forego the 2026 NFL Draft, according to a social media post from the team.
After getting off to a 4-0 start, Mateer was an early favorite for the Heisman Trophy. Mateer was slowed down after suffering a hand injury in Week 4, which required surgery.
Advertisement
The injury caused him to miss Week 6’s game against Kent State. Mateer returned the following week in the Red River Showdown against the Texas Longhorns, where he threw three interceptions in the 23-6 loss. Mateer also threw three interceptions against LSU and had four games throwing for under 200 yards after the injury.
[Get more Sooners football news: Oklahoma team feed]
The 21-year-old quarterback finished the season throwing for 2,885 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 12 starts last season. He also had 431 yards and 8 touchdowns on the ground.
Mateer’s numbers were down across the board in his first season with the Sooners. In his sophomore year at Washington State, Mateer threw for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Mateer also rushed for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns.
Advertisement
The Sooners were able to finish the regular season 5-0 and advance to their first College Football Playoff appearance under head coach Brent Venables. Oklahoma lost in the first round of the playoffs to Alabama despite leading by 17 early in the game.
Linebacker Kip Lewis and wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III also announced that they will return to the Sooners next season. Lewis led the team with 76 tackles, 4 sacks, 4 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble.
Sategna led the team with 67 catches for 965 yards and 8 touchdowns in his first season with Oklahoma after transferring from Arkansas.