The Comeback Oklahoma Fans Have Been Waiting for Might Finally Be Here

Oklahoma (Image Credits: Imagn)

The Comeback Oklahoma Fans Have Been Waiting for Might Finally Be Here

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports | By Sarthak Khanna | Last updated May 11, 2026 9:41 AM ET

For much of the 2025 season, John Mateer looked like the quarterback Oklahoma had desperately been searching for. The Sooners entered their first full SEC campaign with massive expectations, and Mateer quickly became the face of that optimism. At one point, fans and analysts even viewed him as a legitimate Heisman Trophy frontrunner before a hand injury changed the trajectory of his season.

The injury came at the worst possible time. Mateer suffered a thumb injury on his throwing hand during Oklahoma’s win over Auburn and later underwent surgery, forcing him to miss key stretches of the season. Before the setback, he had helped Oklahoma jump to a 4-0 start and had already built serious national momentum.

Oklahoma fans saw the toughness and playmaking ability that made him such an exciting addition to the program in the first place. Now, heading into 2026 fully healthy and with another year in offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle’s system, the belief around Norman feels real again.

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Mateer now enters a season with SEC experience, familiarity with the coaching staff, and a better understanding of the offense around him. This is why many fans believe that Oklahoma could take another step forward this year.

John Mateer’s Career So Far

Mateer’s production and impact already show why Oklahoma fans remain confident in him. Before the injury, he completed 67.4% of his passes for 1,215 yards while adding six passing touchdowns and five rushing scores through Oklahoma’s first four games of 2025.

His performance against Michigan especially turned heads nationally. Mateer accounted for three total touchdowns in that win and earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors afterward. Fans and analysts immediately started discussing him as one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the country.

John Kuceyeski detailed how John Mateer has been working on his mechanics this offseason.

"If we can just start to get the arm angle higher more consistently, that’s going to be great, but it’s not something we’re going to change overnight."

Story: https://t.co/RejV81SFQI pic.twitter.com/mcxemCLgnO
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) March 28, 2026

There are still questions he must answer after the injury-plagued finish to last season, but the talent has never been the issue. If Mateer stays healthy, Oklahoma may finally get the breakout season fans thought was coming a year ago.

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

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