Oklahoma football announces three players headed to SEC Media Days
Oklahoma is set to go on Wednesday as the last team of the day, following Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi State. Coach Brent Venables will open the proceedings for the Sooners on the dais with a press conference for the league's assembled media. On Tuesday, OU announced which three players would join their coach.
Quarterback John Mateer, defensive back Robert Spears-Jennings, and defensive lineman R Mason Thomas will serve as the Sooners' player representatives in Atlanta. Each will make the rounds individually following Venables' remarks on Tuesday.
Mateer will likely draw the biggest crowd. The transfer from Washington State holds the key to Oklahoma's offensive turnaround. The Sooners ranked 113th out of 134 teams in FBS in total offense last year. Mateer, meanwhile, led the country in total touchdowns, throwing for 29 and rushing for another 15 with the Cougars. That season made him one of the top recruits in the transfer portal, from which he chose to join former WSU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle back in Norman after Venables hired Arbuckle from Pullman.
Thomas, the most established player, was named preseason All-American earlier this summer by both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele. His nine sacks led OU and tied him for fifth in the SEC last year, and his 12 1/2 tackles for loss ranked him in a tie for fifth in the conference.
Spears-Jennings finished second on the team in tackles last year with 66, five of which came for loss. The Broken Arrow native added two sacks and an interception, as well.
SEC Football Media Days begins Monday morning when LSU coach Brian Kelly takes the stage. Oklahoma's football season starts August 30 at home against FCS Illinois State.
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