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Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
John Mateer builds game by watching OU football greats Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray
ATLANTA — John Mateer didn't grow up rooting much for a specific school. But OU football's new starting quarterback, who grew up in the Dallas area, watched and rooted for specific quarterbacks. Former TCU star Trevone Boykin, who starred for the Horned Frogs from 2012-15, was at the top of that list. There are plenty of others, though. 'Lamar (Jackson), Baker (Mayfield), Kyler (Murray),' Mateer said Wednesday at SEC media days. 'There's a lot. Max Duggan, I liked him a little bit because some people said I was a little like him, just the way he plays — so tough. There's more but there's a lot. I like to take little things from everybody's game.' There are plenty of standout names on that list, but certainly Mayfield and Murray are the two that stand out most to OU fans. More: OU football announces details for Meet the Sooners Day The quarterback duo, who won back-to-back Heisman trophies — Mayfield in 2017, Murray in 2018 — are two of the best quarterbacks in Sooners' history. So what did Mateer take from each? First up, Mayfield, who threw for 4,627 yards and 43 touchdowns in 2017. 'I think Baker's toughness is just something that every quarterback needs to have,' Mateer said. 'I feel like if you're not giving everything you have then why should your other teammates when you're supposed to be the leader. So you've got to do it and he's so good. I go back and watch highlights because they're just fun to watch.' And what has Mateer taken from watching Murray, who threw for 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns and ran for 1,001 yards and 12 scores in his Heisman season? 'When Kyler played I just felt like he was running,' Mateer said. 'He was outrunning everybody every play and I'd love to do that. I'm not quite that fast, but something like that would be awesome.' Mateer showed plenty of quickness last season, when he ran for 826 yards and 15 scores to go along with 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns through the air. More: Why OU football GM Jim Nagy says Sooners have NFL player at 'every position' Ryan Aber covers OU athletics for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Ryan? He can be reached at raber@ or on Twitter at @RyAber. Sign up for the OU Sooners newsletter to access more OU coverage. Support Ryan's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: What John Mateer learned from OU legends Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
OU football questions for SEC media days start with Brent Venables, John Mateer
ATLANTA — There will be plenty of attention on OU football Wednesday when the Sooners make their rounds at SEC media days at the College Football Hall of Fame. Much of the focus will be on OU coach Brent Venables and quarterback John Mateer. Venables is entering a critical fourth season with plenty of uncertainty. The Sooners have finished with losing records in two of Venables' three seasons, and though the defense has improved greatly during his tenure, the offense slid significantly last season under Seth Littrell and Jackson Arnold. That led to Littrell being fired late in the season and Arnold ultimately transferring to Auburn with the hire of Ben Arbuckle as the new offensive coordinator and Mateer's transfer from Washington State. The college football landscape also continues to shift, with the House settlement and potential legislation looming over the sport and demanding nimble changes. CARLSON: Adding ninth SEC game would be financial windfall for OU football, but all isn't positive While some of the pressure of those changes was mitigated by the hiring of general manager Jim Nagy and his staff will bear much of that brunt, Venables remains the face of the program. Venables also figures to face questions about the recent announcement that athletic director Joe Castiglione will retire, including how that eventual move will affect Venables' job security. While Venables isn't likely to say much about the additional pressure of this season for him — he's repeatedly said the pressure he puts on himself every season outweighs any external pressure — there's no doubt this is a critical season for Venables' tenure. After a 6-7 finish last season, OU figures to need to show progress for Venables to remain beyond 2025. In addition to Venables and Mateer, the Sooners will be represented at the event by defensive end R Mason Thomas and safety Robert Spears-Jennings. Here are three other storylines for the Sooners entering their media days session and several other storylines for the event: More: Josh Heupel excited to have former OU football teammate Seth Littrell on Tennessee's staff How good will Ben Arbuckle, John Mateer's OU football offense be? Like most years at media days, OU football's quarterback will be the talk of the Sooners' allotted time at the event. Mateer led the country with 44 touchdowns last regular season at Washington State. Now, he and former Cougars offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle have teamed up in Norman to see if they can replicate their success in the SEC. Arbuckle and Mateer spent the spring teaching their offense that ranked 12th nationally a season ago with 38.8 points per game. OU's QB1 spoke during spring ball about how important this summer would be for continuing to build chemistry with his teammates and for his personal development. He spent time as a counselor at the Manning Academy in Louisiana and it'll be insightful to hear where he thinks the Sooners' offense is just a few weeks out from preseason camp. Coming off a historically poor offensive performance last season which culminated in Seth Littrell's firing as offensive coordinator and quarterback Jackson Arnold's transfer to Auburn, Brent Venables and OU think they've found their guys in Arbuckle and Mateer. All signs point to Mateer cementing himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC and all eyes will be on him as he makes his media days debut on Wednesday. More: OU athletics sets gifts record for 2025 fiscal year What do R Mason Thomas and Robert Spears-Jennings have to say about the Sooners' veteran defense? While OU lost Some big-time players from last year's defense in Danny Stutsman, Billy Bowman and Ethan Downs, they've still got plenty of experience and talent returning. Thomas and Spears-Jennings each made significant strides next season to help the Sooners' defense pack plenty of punch. Spears-Jennings was second on the team with 66 tackles and led the Sooners with four forced fumbles. Thomas led OU with nine sacks, four more than any other Sooners defender. While both will undoubtedly be asked about their increased leadership roles, as well as the growth of their own games, they'll also surely have plenty to say about the state of the defense as a whole and its growth since spring practices ended. More: OU to permit football tailgating on North Oval for first time during 2025 season Whose stock has risen this summer and injury updates? It's been over three months since OU's spring camp came to a close with its first-ever Crimson Combine. Every media days there is buzz around players who have taken a jump during the summer and coaches usually provide the latest updates on injuries. The Sooners have several injuries Venables will certainly be asked about including how Javonnie Gibson is progressing after breaking his leg during spring practice and if Jayden Gibson will be ready for the season. Eli Bowen and Kendel Dolby have been rehabbing and Venables will surely provide an update on their statuses. OU also received a few transfers following spring camp including offensive lineman Jake Maikkula and kicker Tate Sandell, and it'll be interesting to hear how their summers have been. More: Adding ninth SEC game would be financial windfall for OU football, but all isn't positive Other storylines to watch for at SEC media days How Jackson Arnold is fitting in at Auburn: Arnold will represent the Tigers at media days as their QB1. What he'll say about his time at OU, his offseason and his expectations at Auburn will be fascinating. SEC folks' reactions to Joe Castiglione's retirement news: The most significant story of the Sooners' offseason will be a hot topic. Castiglione is one of the most respected athletic directors in the country. Arch Manning mania: While OU feels like it has found its difference-maker at quarterback, no player in the country will have more expectations on him than Manning. Brenen Thompson's reunion with Jeff Lebby: It'll be interesting to hear former Sooners wide receiver Brenen Thompson's thoughts on playing under Jeff Lebby again at Mississippi State and his reflections on his time at OU. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football questions for SEC media days start with Brent Venables
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
OU football lands three-star LB Beau Jandreau in 2026 recruiting class
NORMAN — Following his official visit this past weekend, three-star linebacker Beau Jandreau has decided to join his twin brother, Niko, as a part of OU football's 2026 recruiting class. Beau Jandreau, the No. 89 linebacker in the 2026 cycle, committed to the Sooners on Monday. Niko Jandreau, a three-star safety, committed to OU in May. Advertisement 'This the place that God has called me to come help lead and help bring OU back to its roots," he told On3 of his commitment. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound Beau Jandreau chose the Sooners over Oregon and Texas. He joins four-star Jakore Smith as linebackers in OU's 2026 class. The Jandreau twins both star on defense at Hamilton High School in Chandler, Arizona. The Sooners now have three sets of brothers either committed or one their roster, with Eli and Peyton Bowen and Maliek and Michael Hawkins. Before Beau Jandreau's commitment, OU's 2026 recruiting class ranked 44th nationally. More: How will OU football's John Mateer adjust to SEC? One burning question for each position Advertisement Colton Sulley covers the Oklahoma Sooners for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Colton? He can be reached at csulley@ or on X/Twitter at @colton_sulley. Support Colton's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing adigital subscription today at This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OU football lands three-star LB Beau Jandreau in 2026 recruiting class
