A misleading social media post this week sparked confusion among Oklahoma fans, falsely claiming that quarterback John Mateer intended to opt out of the College Football Playoff to focus on preparing for the NFL draft. The viral report originated from an account named 274Sport, which quoted Mateer as saying the choice was “the right move for my future.” However, the announcement was quickly debunked.
Reports from The Oklahoman indicate that Mateer, who is draft-eligible following this season, is not opting out and remains committed to participating in the playoff. Oklahoma officials have maintained that there is no change in Mateer’s availability as the team gears up for their postseason run.
The misinformation comes at a time when Mateer’s performance has faced scrutiny, particularly following a challenging second half of his inaugural season in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Prior to a mid-season hand injury and subsequent struggles within Oklahoma’s offense, he had been touted by some evaluators as a potential top prospect for the 2026 NFL draft. However, since undergoing surgery, his performance has fluctuated, with his statistics reflecting four touchdown passes and as many interceptions over his last six games.
Mateer’s journey in the SEC has parallelled that of offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who also joined the program this season from Washington State. Both are adapting to the Power Five level under head coach Brent Venables, and the transition has proven challenging.
The season began with promise for Mateer and the Sooners, as they posted a 4-0 start that included impressive victories over Auburn and Michigan. During this stretch, Mateer threw for 1,215 yards and accounted for 11 total touchdowns. However, an injury to his right hand against Auburn on September 20, which sidelined him for one game, marked the beginning of inconsistency. After his return in a 23-6 loss to Texas, Oklahoma’s offense has struggled to regain its rhythm.
In the latter part of the regular season, Mateer completed just 58.6% of his passes over the final seven games, throwing for 1,363 yards, six touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Like Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, who previously had Heisman Trophy aspirations, Mateer now heads into the College Football Playoff with the opportunity to alter the narrative surrounding his season, aiming for a strong finish as they attempt to secure a significant postseason run.
