Brent Venables is doing what few college coaches would dare: rebuilding an offense in real-time under the unforgiving microscope of the SEC. After Oklahoma stumbled to a 6–7 finish in their debut year in the nation’s toughest conference, the pressure turned seismic. The Sooners, once synonymous with explosive offensive football, crashed down to 97th in total offense and a stunning 119th in passing efficiency. That kind of fall from grace doesn’t just call for tweaks—it demands reinvention. And in a move that could define his tenure, Venables made one thing clear: he’s not going to lose John Mateer, or this locker room, without a fight.

The core of the problem wasn’t hard to diagnose. Oklahoma bled talent at wide receiver. Six receivers exited through the transfer portal in the 2025 cycle, leaving a gaping hole in the offensive blueprint. Nic Anderson packed his bags for LSU. Jalil Farooq took his game to Maryland. Brenen Thompson went to Mississippi State, Andrel Anthony to Duke, J.J. Hester to Kentucky, and Jaquaize Pettaway to East Carolina. It was a talent exodus, and for a program that once lived and died by the vertical pass, it felt like a tectonic shift. So Brent Venables hit the portal like a man possessed. As OU insider George Stoia summed up, “OU has added seven new receivers since the end of last season. McNeese’s Jer’Michael Carter is the latest.”

Oklahoma went shopping for grit, versatility, and upside—players with something to prove and the tools to reshape the narrative. They landed Arkansas-Pine Bluff’s Javonnie Gibson, a raw athlete with untapped potential. From Arkansas came Isaiah Sategna, who brings track speed and SEC polish. Southern Illinois transfer Keontez Lewis adds frame and physicality, while Cal’s Josiah Martin brings Power Five experience and a knack for finding soft spots in coverage. Every name brought in wasn’t just a body—it was a calculated step in transforming chaos into cohesion.

Then came Wednesday’s addition, which added a fresh layer of intrigue. The Sooners signed McNeese State’s Jer’Michael Carter, a 6-foot-4, 192-pound target who turned heads with his sophomore leap. After a quiet freshman campaign where he totaled just three catches for 56 yards, Carter exploded in 2024 with 37 receptions for 537 yards and three touchdowns. Those aren’t just filler stats—they’re the kind that indicate a player ascending at the right time. He brings length, catch radius, and sneaky route-running nuance.

This overhaul isn’t just about talent acquisition—it’s about keeping his QB1 happy and proving to the locker room that he’s all in on competing, now. John Mateer, who’s expected to lead the offense in 2025, broke his silence last week when asked about comparisons to the NFL’s $110 million man.

Whether Mateer eventually becomes that guy remains to be seen, but Brent Venables is giving him every chance to shine—and every reason to stay. Keeping your QB1 happy isn’t just good culture—it’s strategic survival in the transfer portal era. This isn’t just a rebuild—it’s a reinvention born out of necessity.

John Mateer embraces the Heisman-winning NFL QB comparisons

QB1 John Mateer is already feeling at home in Norman. So much so, he recently sat down for a 30-minute interview with teammate Kendel Dolby on the senior defensive back’s brand-new YouTube show—and let’s just say, Mateer didn’t hold back.

The two dove into everything from Mateer’s journey to Oklahoma to what’s fueling him heading into next season. With the Sooners making their leap into the SEC, Mateer is leaning into the challenge. “It’s a new mountain to climb, building relationships and playing in the SEC,” he said. “Pressure is a term that’s whatever you make it… It’s an opportunity. I get a stage to show people who I am… Pressure can eat you up. I don’t let it get to me.”

Mateer’s calm-under-fire attitude is exactly the vibe Oklahoma fans are hoping for as the program steps into a new era. And yes, he hears the chatter about Baker Mayfield and Heisman-level expectations: “There are comparisons to Baker (Mayfield) and the Heisman and all that, which is cool. But winning games is the ultimate goal.”

It’s clear—Mateer isn’t just chasing accolades. He’s chasing wins.