Brent Venables says John Mateer turned down more money elsewhere to play for Oklahoma
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Brent Venables is trying to build momentum for a much-maligned Oklahoma program that’s desperate to be championship relevant once again.
Venables has a disappointing 22-17 combined record in his first 3 seasons in Norman, including 2 losing seasons. While there is belief from outside the program that things will get better soon in Norman, including from Jeff Lebby, Venables’s former offensive coordinator, the proof will come from inside the program in 2025.
And Brent Venables is very thankful that quarterback John Mateer is part of his program. Venables knows that the former Washington State star quarterback could’ve transferred to a lot of other places besides Oklahoma for this season. Mateer spent 3 seasons at Washington State and had his breakthrough last year, throwing for 3,139 yards with 29 touchdown passes and just 7 interceptions. Mateer also proved himself to be a dynamo with his legs, running for 826 yards with 15 TDs on the ground.
Even more important was that Mateer won games at Washington State, leading the Cougars to an 8-5 record in 2024. Now, Venables needs Mateer to work that same magic at Oklahoma, with a passionate fan base used to winning a lot getting very restless.
On Wednesday, during his session with reporters at SEC Media Days in Atlanta, Venables revealed that Mateer turned down more cash from other programs who were after him to come to Norman.
Among the schools chasing after Mateer were Miami and North Carolina, but Mateer chose to head to the SEC for the biggest challenge of his collegiate football career, as well as the opportunity to continue playing for former WSU offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, now in the same role at OU.
Venables can only hope that Mateer’s decision turns into big things for the Sooners in 2025.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
