John Mateer Development Emerges Ahead of Texas-Oklahoma

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated Oct 7, 2025 11:53 AM ET

John Mateer has been phenomenal in his first year with the Oklahoma Sooners. In four games, the junior quarterback has completed 67.4% of his passes for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns with three interceptions. He has also rushed for 190 yards and five scores on the ground.

Mateer transferred to Oklahoma this past offseason after spending the first three years of his collegiate career with the Washington State Cougars. In 2024, as Washington State's starter, he threw for an incredible 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. He also scored 15 times with his legs while rushing for 826 yards.

After a great start to his Oklahoma tenure, Mateer went down with a right-hand injury against the Auburn Tigers on Sept. 20 that seemed severe.

Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer.BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Immediately after the injury, the timetable for Mateer's return was unclear, but Oklahoma fans feared the worst, as many thought he would be out for an extended period of time. Mateer underwent surgery on a broken bone in his hand on Sept. 24.

On Tuesday, ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel reported that Mateer could possibly return for Oklahoma's rivalry matchup against the Texas Longhorns.

"Oklahoma QB John Mateer is pushing to return this week for the game against Texas. There’s a belief that his return is possible, as he’s reacted well to surgery.

Mateer’s surgery on a broken bone in his right (throwing) hand took place nearly two weeks ago. Him playing against Texas would dovetail with the most optimistic return timelines, as he’d be 17 days out of surgery," Thamel wrote.

Mateer’s surgery on a broken bone in his right (throwing) hand took place nearly two weeks ago. Him playing against Texas would dovetail with the most optimistic return timelines, as he’d be 17 days out of surgery.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 7, 2025

If Thamel is able to play against Texas, it would be a huge boost for an Oklahoma team that comes into the matchup as the No. 6 team in the country with a 5-0 record.

As for Texas, quarterback Arch Manning and the Longhorns are coming off a disappointing upset loss to the Florida Gators on Saturday. This game dropped them from No. 9 to all the way out of this week's AP Top 25 Poll.

The Red River Rivalry is set to kick off on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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