NORMAN — John Mateer doesn’t listen to the preseason talk or get caught up in preseason expectations. The good news for OU coach Brent Venables? He knows he doesn’t have to worry about that with his new quarterback. Venables thoroughly studied Mateer’s tape at Washington State before the Sooners added him in the portal several […]
NORMAN — John Mateer doesn’t listen to the preseason talk or get caught up in preseason expectations.
The good news for OU coach Brent Venables? He knows he doesn’t have to worry about that with his new quarterback.
Venables thoroughly studied Mateer’s tape at Washington State before the Sooners added him in the portal several months ago. And though Saturday’s season opener against Illinois State (5 p.m. ESPN+) might be the first game for Mateer in an OU uniform, Venables is pretty confident he knows what to expect.
“I felt like I knew him before he got here,” Venables said. “What he’s about. His makeup. His instincts. His skill. His capacity. And if anything, since he’s been here, he’s… he’s such a likeable guy. And when it comes to a football piece, you love having guys that you know you can count on. That they’re not gonna flinch. Gonna show up with the right mindset every day, he’s gonna lay it on the line. Cares about his teammates, cares about his coaches, he cares about his opportunity. And he’s just got all the right guts and the toughness and the instincts.
“When he’s had a few moments here since he’s been here, and even watching him at Washington State when he’s had some moments where he’s had some adversity, he’s always responded. And so I wouldn’t expect anything different than the things I just said.”
Mateer has the confidence of his head coach, but he has confidence in himself, too.
The spring was about getting to know his teammates, but preseason camp felt different for Mateer. With the offense more installed and a better understanding of his teammates, things felt easier and more free alongside familiar offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle.
Even with the Sooners favored by 35.5 points against Illinois State, the offense isn’t going to be perfect. But that doesn’t impact Mateer’s confidence.
“I’m pretty confident, especially because of the people around me,” Mateer said Monday. “I really trust the offensive coordinator, obviously. The O-line, I trust ‘em. The receivers, the running backs, you can go on and on. Even if I’m not perfect, we’ve got this great defense and all these guys, and the scheme and everything.
“We’re all going to play for each other. It’s going to be good.”
Mateer has earned the confidence of his teammates, too. He was voted by his teammates as one of seven captains for the entire season, alongside Robert Spears-Jennings, R Mason Thomas, Gracen Halton, Damonic Williams, Kip Lewis and Troy Everett. Leadership was a big reason the Sooners added Mateer out of the portal, in addition to his explosiveness and his dual-threat ability.
That’s been a big area of growth for Mateer since the offseason.
“I think it’s transformed a little bit,” Mateer said of his leadership. “I used to be real quiet. Wasn’t super confident as I was a young guy. I’m getting older, coming into myself. I kind of have a track record now, and I’ve played, and people respect that. It’s more vocal. But I’d say just the work ethic. Jalen Hurts told me, you just gotta show ‘em by the work. So of course, I’ll listen to what he says. He’s pretty good.
“I think it means everything. There’s so much turnover. Even me, I’m from a new team. That was my goal, to come in and be a leader, be a captain, and set the tone. So it’s good that I get it, and all the other guys did a great job too.”
Mateer knows the expectations and pressure are high, particularly after the offense sputtered last season. With Mateer and Arbuckle now in tow, the Sooners are hoping the story is much different for the offense this fall.
The Sooners are taking it one day at a time.
“All the guys have bought in and we’re real comfortable with the game plan,” Mateer said. “First week, you get a couple of extra days to get ready. We’re in a good spot.”
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Category: General Sports
