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The Oklahoma Sooners have a rich history with the Heisman Trophy, with the second-most winners in college football at seven. Only the USC Trojans have more with eight.
However, the Sooners have had a bit of a cold streak in recent years of players in contention for the prestigious award. Former Sooners like Caleb Williams and Dillon Gabriel have finished as finalists, but the Sooners haven't had a player in the running since Jalen Hurts finished as a finalist in 2019.
ESPN believes that might turn around in the 2025 season, however, as they ranked transfer quarterback John Mateer as one of their top 10 most likely Heisman candidates.
"Cam Ward almost won the Heisman Trophy and became the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft after transferring to Miami from Washington State. Mateer, another Wazzu transfer, is coming off of his own breakout season following two years of backing up Ward. If the Sooners can protect him -- a big if -- Mateer could become the next in a long line of OU transfer QBs (Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray, Jalen Hurts) to contend for the Heisman"
It's not totally far-fetched to imagine Mateer is in the running for the award if the Sooners' offense turns it around. Last season at Washington State, he passed for over 3,000 yards and 29 touchdowns, while also tacking on 826 yards and 15 scores on the ground, and that was in his first season as a starter in this system. With another year under his belt in Ben Arbuckle's scheme and upgraded weapons all around him, Mateer's production could skyrocket in 2025.
If he hits similar or better numbers this season for the Sooners and the defense holds true to last year's results, then Oklahoma is likely pulling in a successful season that could put him in the running for the Heisman. While I won't go as far as to say he should be a favorite, Mateer could be a sneaky "buy low" candidate for the award.
As an aside, it's not "a big if" on whether they can protect the quarterback. Last year is a thing of the past when it comes to their offensive line, and the Sooners return all the key pieces to return to their typical form up front.
More must-reads:
- Top Heisman candidates per Power Four conference
- 10 most intriguing players heading into 2025 college football season
- The '2024 NFL rushing TD leaders' quiz
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Ohio State Buckeyes’ costly addition is on the brink of looking like he chose the wrong school to transfer to
Not only did Ryan Day name Julian Sayin the starting quarterback of the Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday, but he also revealed his key protector at left tackle. Austin Siereveld has had a remarkable rise for the Buckeyes since last December. He is now a team captain, the starting left tackle, and an Iron Buckeye. “You guys keep asking the question,” Day stated jokingly as the media laughed. “Alright, mercy. Austin (Siereveld) will be at left tackle. But that’s it, you guys aren’t getting any more.” That announcement means one of Ohio State’s most important transfer portal additions may not actually start this fall. Landing offensive lineman Ethan Onianwa from Rice was considered a huge win for the Buckeyes, and many expected him to lock down the left tackle spot. Instead, Siereveld emerged as the better option, leaving Onianwa to battle for the right tackle job. Onianwa is competing with Minnesota transfer Phillip Daniels, and recent momentum suggests Daniels may have the edge to win that position. The silver lining for Ohio State is their depth up front, with players like Onianwa, Ian Moore, and Josh Padilla ready to step in. “I think right now we would say that we’re probably at six or seven guys that we feel comfortable putting in a game on the offensive line,” Day explained. “I don’t think we’ve fully decided how many reps everybody will play on the line, but I think you will see a little bit of a rotation.” If Onianwa doesn’t start, he could still play a key role at some point this season. Still, it would be a tough break for the 6-foot-7, 331-pound transfer, who didn’t need to return to college but chose to do so for another year.
Chicago Bears looking at bringing back familiar face at running back
The Chicago Bears don’t appear satisfied with their running back room with one week left to decide the 53-man roster. The Bears have until Aug. 26 to make their final cuts before preparing for the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1. The Bears entered training camp with questions at running back. Veteran D’Andre Swift had a down year in 2024. Roschon Johnson isn’t a long-term solution, and seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai will have a steep learning curve when the regular season begins. The Chicago Bears worked out a former running back Per Aaron Wilson of KPRC, the Bears worked out running backs Royce Freeman, undrafted rookie Kylin James and former Carolina Panthers practice-squad player Dillon Johnson. Royce Freeman played with the Bears in 2024 Of the three, Freeman is the only running back with stats at the NFL level. Freeman, a third-round pick by the Denver Broncos in 2018, has appeared in 79 games and started nine games. He’s rushed 471 times for 1,472 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Bears signed Freeman to the practice squad in December. He was then signed to the Los Angeles Rams practice squad in January. He last played a regular-season game in 2023, when he added 319 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games for the Rams. The Bears are signaling their need for a running back this summer. There are other options available in the trade market, as the Washington Commanders are shopping Brian Robinson Jr. during the preseason. More running backs will be available after other teams trim their rosters to 53 players, but they might not be the type of athletes to make a significant boost for the offense early in the regular season.
Giants have firm stance on possible Jameis Winston trade
The New York Giants have one of the deepest quarterback rooms in the NFL, and there has been speculation that Jameis Winston could be the odd man out when the regular season begins. It does not sound like Winston is going anywhere, however. Russell Wilson is expected to be the Giants' starting quarterback in Week 1. The big question is whether Jaxson Dart or Winston will enter the year as Wilson's primary backup. Dart has played well through two preseason games, and Brian Daboll and his coaching staff have raved about the former Ole Miss star. Some have wondered if the Giants could entertain trade offers for Winston should they decide they view Dart as their No. 2 quarterback. Assistant general manager Brandon Brown was asked about that on Tuesday, and he all but ruled it out. "I appreciate people that are interested, but Jameis is a New York Giant. The way that he's gone about his business from day one, he's made it very intentional of the fact that he wants to be here and he wants to be here for the long haul," Brown said. "Teammates love him. His preparation process, whether it's the off-field things that he does in terms of community relations, Bible studies, things in the locker room, galvanizing the group together — not just the quarterback room, but the offense as a whole. "He's been comic relief, but he's also been a really good example of how to be a pro and handle your business in terms of prehab, rehab and postgame care. So, I'm happy he's here, and he's gonna continue to do those things. He hasn't wavered, and he hasn't been shaken by any distractions at all." Winston signed a two-year, $8M contract with the Giants in free agency this offseason. The deal could climb as high as $16M with incentives, but he would need to play quite a bit to hit those. The Giants value Winston's extensive experience, just as they value Dart's upside. There is a reason they signed both Wilson and Winston and traded up to draft Dart. They believe in all three players, and they likely will not be inclined to trade Winston unless they receive an excellent offer.
Packers' blockbuster trade pitch adds Micah Parsons for huge price
Speculation linking Dallas Cowboys All-Pro edge-rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers continues to gain momentum as the star’s holdout amid stalled contract negotiations seems as far apart as ever. Parsons, two weeks ago, publicly requested a trade and continues to hold-in during Cowboys training camp, while there is a belief that Green Bay is attempting to pull off a blockbuster trade. Potential Packers-Micah Parsons Blockbuster Trade Package Parsons, 26, has posted 52.5 sacks through his first four seasons and is one of the most dominant players at his position. He is the kind of difference-maker who could cement Green Bay as a legitimate Super Bowl contender for years to come. But prying Parsons away from the Cowboys wouldn’t come cheap. "You’d want to hope to trade no more than three good young players for one elite player," an NFL executive and former general manager said to me recently of what a Parsons trade package might look like. Given that strategy, it isn’t difficult to envision Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst offering a package of players and picks that looks something like: Packers Trade: 2026 first-round NFL Draft choice, 2027 first-round draft choice, WR Romeo Doubs, EDGE Lukas Van Ness Cowboys Trade: Micah Parsons Trading two first-round picks is likely the starting point for Jerry Jones and the Cowboys in any Parsons negotiations. For the Packers, trading Van Ness would be offering a change of scenery for a former first-round draft choice who has yet to live up to expectations, and upgrading the position with a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber player. Meanwhile, shipping Doubs to Dallas clears a logjam at wide receiver, while helping the Cowboys round out a balanced receiving corps that would include CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Doubs as perhaps the most prolific collection of talent Dak Prescott has had in his career. Whether Parsons’ trade request is anything more than posturing remains to be seen, but if the Cowboys open up trade talks, this package could be the kind of trade that nets Green Bay a difference-maker.
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