Mateer looks to lead Oklahoma to SEC, CFP stardom

Jul 30, 2026 5:14 PM

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Oklahoma’s offense hopes to bring it further in the postseason.

John Mateer is entering his second season with the Oklahoma Sooners.

For the second time since joining a revamped Southeastern Conference, the Oklahoma Sooners are ready to aim for the top of a loaded conference and contend for an SEC championship. After a 10-3 record and making the College Football Playoffs in 2025, head coach Brent Venables enters the 2026 campaign, his fifth year with the team, with one of the league’s deepest rosters.

Led by veteran quarterback John Mateer, the Sooners were ranked ninth on our team rankings leaderboard with an 8.23 BiteScore.

Mateer, who finished his first year there with a 6.34 BiteScore, leads the Sooners offensively and will have plenty of new weapons around him. Venables and his coaching staff attacked the transfer portal to do so, especially at the receiver position. Headlining those additions are former Virginia standout Trell Harris and Texas pass catcher Parker Livingstone.

Oklahoma’s two best returning running backs are Xavier Robinson, who logged a 4.36 BiteScore last season, and Tory Blaylock, who finished with a score of 3.67. Lloyd Avant from Colorado State, along with freshmen Jonathan Hatton Jr. and DeZephen Walker, round out the running back room.

Senior linebacker Kip Lewis returns as the team’s leader in tackles from 2025. He’s also the eighth-best returning linebacker in the country according to his 7.49 BiteScore.

Safety Peyton Bowen led the Sooners in interceptions last season and also should be primed for another solid season, along with Michael Boganowski. Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory will likely start at the cornerback spots and round out the secondary.

A few impactful defensive transfers the Sooners brought in include Kenny Ozowalu, an athletic defensive tackle from UTSA, and Prince Ijioma, a cornerback from Mississippi Valley State who adds much-needed depth to the position. Bishop Thomas, a former Georgia State defensive tackle who logged 48 tackles in 2025, will also add depth on their defensive front.

Oklahoma’s talented roster could easily lead it to a 9-3 overall record, including a 7-2 record in the SEC. Its schedule will once again feature heavyweight matchups, including the annual Red River rivalry against Texas, but Oklahoma enters 2026 with legitimate College Football Playoff aspirations.

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