Oklahoma transfer quarterback John Mateer is drawing comparisons to Cam Ward as a potential breakout star this season, according to On3’s J.D. PicKell during an appearance on ESPN’s Paul Finebaum show.
“This time last year, Paul, if you talk to people close to Miami, they were beating their chest saying, ‘Yeah, Cam Ward’s a dude… Cam Ward is going to be a dog this year.’ They weren’t tippy-toeing around it,” PicKell said. “They weren’t saying maybe he’ll be good. They’re saying the same kind of thing right now around John Mateer in Norman, Oklahoma.
“So, I’m not saying he’s going to win the Heisman Trophy. I’m not saying he’s going to be the first overall pick. But the way they speak about John Mateer, the confidence they speak about John Mateer with… I’m very, very excited to watch him continue what he did in Pullman, Washington.”
Ward transformed from a projected fifth-round pick to the No. 1 overall selection in this year’s NFL Draft after his single season at Miami.
PicKell has consistently highlighted the buzz surrounding Mateer since he joined the Sooners through the winter transfer portal.
“Everyone in Norman is like, ‘Yeah, he’s a dude, man. He’s an absolute baller. We’re going to be in good shape with him pulling the trigger. Everything else, we’ll see how it translates, but we feel good about John Mateer,'” he said.
Mateer faces the challenge of revitalizing an Oklahoma offense that ranked 97th nationally last season, averaging just 24.8 points per game under Jackson Arnold, who has since transferred to Auburn.
The connection between Mateer and Ward runs deeper than just comparisons. Mateer served as Ward’s backup at Washington State for two seasons before taking over the starting role last year.
In his lone season as starter for the Cougars, Mateer accumulated 3,965 total yards and 44 total touchdowns, making him one of the most coveted quarterbacks in the transfer portal this past winter.
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky identified Mateer as one of 11 quarterbacks to watch for the 2026 NFL Draft, alongside Arch Manning, Drew Allar, LaNorris Sellers, Garrett Nussmeier, Nico Iamaleava, Cade Klubnik, Sam Leavitt, Carson Beck, Dante Moore and Malachi Nelson.
Unlike Ward, who emerged as the clear top quarterback prospect, Mateer will face significantly more competition should he declare for next year’s draft class.
