Oklahoma wrapped up a tumultuous 2024 season on Thursday with a 21-20 loss to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl, dropping the Sooners to 6-7 for the second time in three seasons under Brent Venables.
The defensive side of the ball was the issue in Venables’ first season, ranking 99th in scoring and 122nd in total defense. In 2024, however, it was the offense that caused Oklahoma fits – ranking 95th in scoring and 121st in total offense.
The program has transformed under Venables, but unless he gets the offense figured out in 2025, he’ll likely be out of a job.
That’s why the Sooners went out and got Ben Arbuckle, who ultimately led Oklahoma’s efforts in landing the top player in the transfer portal, Washington State quarterback John Mateer.
Mateer is the obvious favorite to win the starting job in 2025, but he’ll have to battle incumbent bowl starter Michael Hawkins, who completed 28 of 43 attempts (with seven drops from wide receivers) for 247 yards and two touchdowns on Friday.
After the game, Hawkins was asked about the pending quarterback battle with Mateer coming into the room.
“I think we need a guy. We need a guy in that room,” Hawkins said. “John Mateer is a great guy. I talked to him at breakfast. I’m really looking forward to that [competition].”
It won’t be easy to keep Mateer off the field, though, as he’s fresh off his first season as a starter and piled up nearly 4,000 yards and 44 total touchdowns.
Add to that the fact that Mateer already knows Arbuckle’s scheme and has more experience as a starter, and it’s clear why Hawkins has the odds stacked against him. However, despite that, he’s committed to sticking with the Sooners and competing for the job – a rarity in the transfer portal era.
