John Mateer makes final decision between Oklahoma return, NFL Draft

by: Griffin McVeigh 3 hours ago griffin_mcveigh

John Mateer will be returning to Norman for another season at Oklahoma , the program announced on Thursday. Mateer could have declared for the 2026 NFL Draft after playing one season for the Sooners. Instead, he comes back to run things back with head coach Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle .

Oklahoma’s social media post on the development came with more than just news on Mateer, though. Linebacker Kip Lewis was a part of the announcement as well. Both Lewis and Mateer wear No. 10, making for a fun spin on the situation.

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Team 132 | @OGandE pic.twitter.com/3TLeW67srS

— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) January 15, 2026

Mateer transfered to Oklahoma from Washington State last offseason, hoping to bring some stability to the quarterback position. While there was a thumb injury during the year, Mateer wound up playing in 12 of a possible 13 games for the Sooners.

He threw for 2,885 yards, 14 touchdowns, and interceptions. Arbuckle used Mateer’s legs quite often too, adding 431 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground due to 149 carries. Team success then followed, as Oklahoma went 10-2 in the regular season and earned a spot in the College Football Playoff.

But a lot of, if not most, of the credit for OU’s postseason appearance goes to the defense. Venables put together one of the best units in college football. Lewis figures to be the biggest retention of them all, also forgoing an opportunity to declare for the NFL Draft.

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