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Oklahoma Lands Another Transfer Target For QB John Mateer on Wednesday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated Apr 30, 2025 3:29 PM ET

Head coach Brent Venables and the Oklahoma Sooners continue to rebuild the offense after a disappointing 6-7 season in their inaugural year in the SEC.

Venables also led the Sooners to a six-win season in his first year at the helm in 2022. But Oklahoma improved to 10-3 the next year, painting a promising future for the program under the former Clemson national champion defensive coordinator.

However, struggles, specifically on offense, held the program back considerably in 2024.

The Sooners finished 97th in total offense and 119th passing offense after finishing in the top six in both of those categories the previous season.

The quarterback situation was one of the causes for the drop off, as Dillon Gabriel transferred to Oregon after the 2023 season and went on to become a Heisman Trophy Finalist with the Ducks.

Former five-star Jackson Arnold did not pan out in his first opportunity as a starter in 2024 and has since transferred to Auburn.

Part of the significant overhaul has been the addition of Washington State transfer quarterback John Mateer, one of the top players in the transfer portal. He joins former Cougars' offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle in Norman for the 2025 season.

Having a potential difference maker at quarterback and coordinator won't create a significant change without some talent at the wide receiver position. And that's the challenge that Venables and his staff have approached head on.

The Sooners lost six receivers to the portal in the 2025 cycle, including Nic Anderson (LSU), Jalil Farooq (Maryland), Brenen Thompson (Mississippi State), Andrel Anthony (Duke), J.J. Hester (Kentucky) and Jaquaize Pettaway (East Carolina).

In response, Oklahoma has added some transfer talent of its own in Arkansas-Pine Bluff's Javonnie Gibson, Arkansas' Isaiah Sategna, Southern Illinois' Keontez Lewis and California's Josiah Martin.

The new group at wideout brought in another contributor on Wednesday, signing McNeese State transfer Jer'Michael Carter.

Go Boomer https://t.co/Gssz9kN1R6
— Jer’Michael Carter (@Thats5ive__) April 30, 2025

Carter signed with McNeese State as an unranked recruit out of Kentwood, Louisiana, in the class of 2023. The 6-foot-4, 192-pound receiver played sparingly as a true freshman before making an impact in 2024.

Carter hauled in 37 passes for 537 yards with three touchdowns as a sophomore after recording just three catches for 56 yards in his first season.

It's not easy to project how the Oklahoma offense will fair after the overhaul, but it's clear that there has been a considerable effort to make the weakness a strength.

The Sooners will open the 2025 season at home against Illinois State on Aug. 30.

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

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