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NORMAN — John Mateer surveyed the room as he sat Wednesday morning for his introductory press conference as a Sooner.
“That’s a lot of cameras,” Mateer said.
More than two dozen of them.
If the Washington State transfer needed another reminder of the weight he now carries as OU’s quarterback, this was it. He’s not in Pullman anymore.
But if Mateer had any nerves, they didn’t show. The slow-talking Texan had the vibes, and the haircut, of a California kid. His white OU polo was unbuttoned. He was at ease. Comfortable. Confident. Just the kind of traits you want in a quarterback.
Will that be the case seven months from now in the Cotton Bowl? Eight months from now in Tuscaloosa, Alabama? To be determined. But it’s no small thing that Mateer already has a presence about him as the Sooners begin spring practice.
That he’s already seen as The Guy.
More: What will Ben Arbuckle’s OU offense be in 2025 spring football? We examine key questions
New OU quarterback John Mateer speaks to the media during the Sooners’ spring football news conference on Wednesday in Norman.
“First day of strength and conditioning workouts, my teammates put me in the front of the line,” Mateer said. “I really appreciated that. That gave me some confidence.”
Every OU starting quarterback, regardless of context, faces pressure. Mateer, though, will have to elude a metaphorical all-out blitz.
Can he and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle, who were together at Wazzu, reignite what was a dud of an offense? If not … well, we all know what that could mean for Brent Venables. That’s not Mateer’s cross to bear, but it’s the reality of the situation.
Mateer, who passed for 29 touchdowns last season and rushed for 15, was peppered with questions about handling such stressors of his job. He answered all of them with the equivalent of a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/john-mateer-shows-why-handle-113057876.html
Author : The Oklahoman
Publish date : 2025-03-06 11:30:00
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