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Quarterback From Top 25 College Football Program Offered $1 Million to Transfer: Report

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Borba | Last updated Nov 14, 2024 7:36 AM ET

The college football transfer portal officially opens on Dec. 9, but that hasn't stopped programs from around the country from getting a headstart.

There are already all sorts of backchanneling going on around the country as players who have made it clear they are transferring have heard from schools, and even players who aren't in the portal have been approached in one way or another.

Something that No. 18 Washington State is currently dealing with, according to 247Sports' Paul Sorensen. The Washington State insider revealed on the "Old Crimson Podcast" that star quarterback John Mateer has already received an offer for $1 million to transfer when he and his co-hosts discussed what it would cost to keep him in Pullman.

"Well he already has an offer," Sorensen said before confirming he has a $1 million offer. "He does. From that perspective, and I don't know what school it is, but I know there's one sitting on the table and it's out there right now."

It isn't shocking that major programs are after Mateer, as Cam Ward's former understudy has proven to be one of the most electric quarterbacks in all of college football. En route to leading Washington State to an 8-1 start, Mateer has thrown for over 2,300 yards and 22 touchdowns to six picks while rushing for 630 yards and an additional 11 touchdowns on the ground.

According to Barry Bolton of 247Sports, Mateer is believed to be making around $400,000 in NIL this season.

The former three-star recruit who was recently named a semi-finalist for the Davey O'Brien Award was lightly recruited out of high school. According to 247Sports, he held just six offers, with Washington State being his lone Power 5 offer and the program he chose over schools like Columbia and Houston Christian.

Mateer isn't the first player to be tampered with ahead of the portal and won't be the last. The one thing that is known is Cougars fans would love for him to remain in Pullman.

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

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