Mateer returning to Oklahoma for 2026 season

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer will return for the 2026 season, the team announced Thursday.

The 21-year-old signed a contract to play for the Sooners again next season, a source told ESPN's Pete Thamel.

He wasn't among the players who declared for the 2026 NFL Draft by Wednesday's deadline, thus foreshadowing his return.

Mateer came to Oklahoma from Washington State after the 2024 campaign. He led the Sooners to a 4-0 start in 2025 before undergoing hand surgery in September, which forced him to miss one game. He struggled to find the same form upon returning, with the team going 5-3 to end the season.

He finished the year with 2,885 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He also contributed eight scores on the ground.

Oklahoma announced that linebacker Kip Lewis is returning as well.