Oklahoma QB John Mateer: A Journey Through Challenges and Faith

University of Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer’s journey has been anything but conventional, marked by significant challenges and a notable transfer. At just 21, he played a pivotal role in leading the Sooners to the College Football Playoff during his inaugural season in Norman, where the team finished with a commendable 10-2 record.

“This is everything I could ever ask for as a kid,” Mateer expressed to reporters on December 15, just days before Oklahoma's playoff clash with Alabama. “I prayed for this opportunity, worked for it, and I’m glad it’s here. I don’t take it for granted.”

Originally from Little Elm, Texas, Mateer began his collegiate career at Washington State University before transferring to Oklahoma ahead of the 2025 season. His early years were shaped by a family legacy in swimming, as both parents were competitive swimmers. However, Mateer gravitated towards land sports instead.

“In all honesty, he just didn’t really have an interest,” his father Steve, a former swimmer at the University of Missouri, remarked in September 2024. “He was always faster, jumped higher. He really liked the land sports.”

Despite opportunities to swim, Mateer chose football and baseball throughout high school. “In Dallas, football is so big,” he noted. “I got into those and just didn’t have any interest in swimming.” His father’s coaching background provided him with insights into swimming, but there was never pressure to pursue it competitively.

On July 4, 2023, Mateer shared a heartfelt moment on Instagram, posting a video of his baptism in a backyard pool. “Thank You God!” he captioned the video, reflecting his strong faith.

After redshirting his freshman year in 2022, he made an impact at Washington State in 2023, appearing in 11 games. By 2024, he secured the starting position and threw for over 3,100 yards and 29 touchdowns. His success led to a transfer announcement to Oklahoma in December 2024. “Praise God!!” he declared on social media following the news.

However, before even stepping onto the field as a Sooner, Mateer found himself at the center of a betting scandal involving suspicious Venmo transactions. Screenshots surfaced in August 2025, allegedly showing payments labeled “sports gambling” made from his account to a teammate’s account.

Mateer firmly denied these allegations. “The allegations that I once participated in sports gambling are false,” he stated on social media. “My previous Venmo descriptions did not accurately portray the transactions in question but were instead inside jokes between me and my friends.”

He emphasized his commitment to integrity: “I can assure my teammates, coaches, and officials at the NCAA that I have not engaged in any sports gambling.” The NCAA prohibits college athletes from betting on any NCAA sport, with violations potentially jeopardizing eligibility.

Despite the controversy surrounding him, Mateer faced no suspension or punishment related to the allegations. His focus remains on his performance and faith as he prepares for the next chapter of his football career.