IT IS OVER: Professional American football Young Star of Oklahoma sooner John Mateer Has Done It Again, Head Coach Brent Venables Reacts Shock with Major Announcement Concerning……
When headlines scream “IT IS OVER,” you know something seismic just happened. And in Norman, Oklahoma, that seismic shift is being caused by John Mateer — the 21‑year‑old dual‑threat quarterback from Washington State whose rapid rise has already electrified the college football landscape.
But the story doesn’t end there. Brent Venables, the embattled Sooners’ head coach, has just responded with a major announcement that may irreversibly redefine Oklahoma football’s future. Here’s a deep dive:
1. John Mateer: From Transfer Trailblazer to Sooner Sensation
A Meteoric Rise at Washington State
2024 breakout: In his first year as a starter, Mateer exploded onto the scene—throwing for 3,139 yards, 29 TDs, and adding 826 rushing yards with 15 rushing touchdowns, totaling 44 TDs—led all of college football in total scores
Transfer portal No. 1: Declared the top available transfer in 2024, Oklahoma beat out Miami and North Carolina to secure his commitment
A Seamless Fit with Ben Arbuckle
The Sooners hired Ben Arbuckle, Mateer’s former offensive coordinator at Washington State, earlier this offseason—a move that proved pivotal. Mateer steps into a system he’s already thrived in, and that familiarity is golden
This continuity means less learning curve, more immediate impact—especially vital for a team rebuilding after a 6–7 season in Venables’ third year
Mateer’s dual‑threat capability offers defensive coordinators nightmares: with elite arm mechanics and dynamic scramble ability, he’s been compared to pedigree Sooners like Baker Mayfield
Some analysts believe if Mateer stays healthy and the line holds, he may emerge in Heisman discussions this fall
2. The Venables Gambit: Taking Control, Raising the Stakes
Defensive Command & Offensive Hand‑Off
Venables is doubling down on his roots: he will resume calling defensive plays while entrusting Arbuckle with full offensive duties
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This shift signals a dramatic structural adjustment; Venables is focusing on fixing Oklahoma’s once-vaunted defense from within, while riding Mateer‑driven offense.
High‑Pressure Offseason
Venables sits on a 22–17 record in three seasons, including two losing campaigns
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With a $44.8 million buyout burden and mounting SEC pressure, it’s clear — this season is do or
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Culture in the Making
Venables has emphasized that leadership matters off the field:
“When the coaches aren’t there… if everybody wants to goof off and the leaders want to goof off, you’re not going to get anything out of practice”
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He’s publicly praised Mateer’s intangibles:
“John is incredibly talented…but some of his best talents are his leadership, he’s got tremendous football IQ… He’s honest, transparent, easy to connect to”
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3. Did Mateer Just “Do It Again”?
The phrase “Done It Again” attached to Mateer’s name refers to two recent developments:
A) Consistency in Competitiveness
After completing a fully dominant 2024 campaign, Mateer carried that intensity into spring practice at Oklahoma, earning praise for his work ethic, leadership, and performance
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College insider Mac Shay called him one of the “most competitive” QBs in the country, a statement backed by GM Jim Nagy
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B) Off‑Season Leadership & Depth Moves
More transfer portal additions have tied directly to Mateer’s presence. Big‑name additions like Isaiah Sategna, JaVonnie Gibson, and Jaydn Ott are part of a strategic roster overhaul aimed at fueling Mateer’s success
This suggests that Mateer isn’t just performing on the field—he’s influencing the culture and roster construction, solidifying his status as a transformative talent.
4. Headlines vs. Reality: What Venables JUST Announced
The Game‑Changing Declaration
While no press release used all-caps headlines, Venables quietly dropped what may well be his clearest message yet:
He’s fully delegating offense to Arbuckle and effectively betting his career on Mateer’s impact.
This isn’t marketing fluff. Venables is staking his credibility and job security on one key belief: John Mateer is the linchpin for redemption.
Why That Matters
Strategic clarity: Offense is now entirely Arbuckle–Mateer driven; defensive effort gets Venables’s full-time attention.
Psychological shift: Venables is saying, “We fix our problems by empowering the guy who can win us games.”
Recruiting and morale: When top recruits and transfers see a coach invest in a leader like Mateer, it spurs momentum across the roster.
5. Season Outlook: What to Expect in 2025
Individual Accolades
ESPN has Matt Mateer confidently in its Top 10 Heisman contenders, citing past performance and future upside
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With comparable legacy QBs (Mayfield, Hurts, Murray) before him, a strong year could vault Mateer into elite college football conversations.
Team Targets
New faces in the receiving corps are expected to complement Mateer’s passing/rushing balance
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If the offensive line returns to health and effectiveness, Oklahoma could be a legitimate playoff-caliber threat — talent and structure are aligning.
Benchmark Games
The Sooners face a brutal schedule (Michigan, Alabama, South Carolina, Texas, L
As one SEC analyst noted, a 9–3 season could earn playoff consideration, given the slate
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6. Voices from Norman and Beyond
Analysts & Media
Mac Shay: Called Mateer “most competitive” in college football .
USA Today’s Matt Hayes: Framed Mateer as a “last dance, last chance” signal for both player and coach
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David Pollack Hickened Mateer to Mayfield, but cautioned on SEC’s gauntlet
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Fan Reactions
Positive buzz: Fans see “Mateer‑Arbuckle” as a cohesive unit that “makes sense” .
Pressure on Venables: Many fans believe 2025 is his last chance — failure to deliver means likely change .
7. Conclusions: Is It Really Over?
For Oklahoma’s offense: Absolutely. The baton has been handed to Mateer with trust and expectation.
For Venables’ tenure: He’s thrown down the gauntlet—this season’s results could determine his career. The phrase “IT IS OVER” takes on dual meaning: the end of the rebuilding era—and the beginning of accountability.
Final Take
John Mateer isn’t just another college QB—he’s the catalyst for Oklahoma’s future. His dual‑threat fireworks, leadership, and chemistry with Arbuckle have bought time and attention. Brent Venables, under career pressure, has made one of the boldest moves of his tenure: handing over the keys to his offense, betting on Mateer to resurrect the Sooners. If it works, Oklahoma returns to national relevance; if it doesn’t, both player and coach’s legacies could be defined by ‘what might have been.’
Now, the story moves from hype to execution. Spring talk gives way to fall realities. Sooners nation, prepare: the countdown to kickoff will determine everything.



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