Chase Daniel makes Heisman Trophy case for Oklahoma QB John Mateer
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Chase Daniel played the college quarterback position at a pretty high level, as a signal-caller at Mizzou from 2005-08.
As the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and a 2nd-team All-American in 2007, Daniel was elite, and he believes there is a current SEC quarterback who should be in the mix for the most prestigious award in college football.
On Saturday morning during SEC Nation, Daniel called out Oklahoma‘s John Mateer and made a very early Heisman Trophy case for the Sooners’ signal-caller who got off to a flying start to the season on Friday night against UTEP. Mateer only had to throw the ball 17 times, with 11 completions in 10th-ranked Oklahoma’s 51-0 mauling of the Miners in Norman.
But in a game where OU wasn’t challenged, Mateer put forth a very impressive effort with not a lot of attempts, throwing for 225 yards with 3 touchdown passes and 0 interceptions. After struggling as last season went on after injuring his thumb in September, Mateer served notice to start 2026, and Daniel believes he should be up for the Heisman in December.
“I love John Mateer. John Mateer balled out (Friday night). And I think, for me, John Mateer is a dark horse Heisman candidate, and I think the reason is because of the schedule,” said Daniel, who acknowledged how difficult a schedule that Oklahoma has this season starting with a Week 2 showdown at No. 16 Michigan.
“If (Oklahoma) is in the CFP, it’s because of John Mateer and the way he played, and the schedule is his Heisman opportunity,” Daniel said.
Mateer has a long way to go right now to nail down his claim at Heisman Trophy consideration, but certainly Week 1 was a good start. Here is the what the Kalshi market is currently saying about the current Heisman odds, with Mateer not in the top 10 right now but with plenty of games remaining to move up the odds ladder:
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.
