“He’s just a competitive lunatic.” “He seems like another one gaining steam.” With +750 Heisman stock and more, John Matter’s impression has been coming off strong. However, a wrist injury put his highly-potential future in jeopardy. Now, a $16.9 million figure, and his NFL stock is on the line.

Last week, Brent Venables’ CFP dreams took a big dent. Mateer is the linchpin who turned the Sooners’ 6-7 trajectory into an undefeated 4-0 streak. With last week’s win, 24-17, against Auburn, fans thumped their fists in the air, but Mateer’s injury dimmed their spirits. In the first quarter itself, Mateer found himself with a broken wrist, but finished off the game with 271 yards. After undergoing surgery, he is in rehab. But if he fails to bounce back like his former self, there might be consequences.

“I think Mateer’s going to be a first-round draft pick,” Todd McShay said in a conversation with Bill Collins. Their conversation started with how Mateer’s performance is raising his NFL stock. In the NFL Draft, the 25th pick gets $16.9 million. For Mateer, he must return from injury in his best form

In just 4 games this season, the quarterback is making some noise. Completing 67.4% of his passes for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns, he has earned the No. 2 rank for total offense nationally (351.3 yards per game). John Mateer’s chances look promising, right? That all depends on his recovery. If, after rehabilitation (wrist surgery), he keeps the momentum strong, he might be a first-round pick and rake in that $16.9 million.

The wrist injury swept off the hopes of Sooner Nation, but a positive update was soon on its way. On Wednesday, Mateer underwent surgery, and it was a success. “Thank God for a successful procedure,” he wrote on X. “Dr. (Steven)Shin is the goat. BOOMER SOONER.” Dr. Shin is a renowned wrist surgeon who has worked with MLB legend Mike Trout, NBA Star Steph Curry, and Drew Brees. As reported by Pete Thamel, it will take about a month for Mateer to lace up his cleats and return to the turf. So, after the rehab, if Mateer is as agile and explosive as before he sustained the injury, his top NFL stock and the $16.9 million amount appear locked in.

Meanwhile, while John Mateer reboots during the rehab, sophomore Michael Hawkins Jr. will steer the offense against Kent State. Last season, he tallied 783 yards and three touchdowns over four games. Although a bit disappointed to miss some action, Mateer is eager to rejoin the field. “As he is with everything, we know he will be aggressive with his rehabilitation and work to return to the field as quickly as possible.” The head coach complimented John Mateer’s work ethic as well. “Always had a great work ethic. Always been really coachable. He’s hungry, humble. Ultra-talented,” he said. Michigan is going 4-0, and the Sooners Nation holds its breath for that momentum to remain intact at the Red River Rivalry on October 11.

As he aims to return from his injury in top form, John Mateer gets compared with a Bucks star for his overall game.

John Mateer compared to NFL star Baker Mayfield

The QB’s strength lies in driving the ball down the field and showing up in clutch moments, as McShay put it. And with such grit, the hosts compared him to NFL star Baker Mayfield. “Is that seems like an unusual NFL quarterback? I  think he’s a faster Baker Mayfield,” started Todd McShay in a conversation with Bill Simmons, on Mateer’s potential. A comparison with an NFL player is as treasured as winning accolades. And with a star quarterback like Mayfield, who was the No. 1 2018 NFL Draft pick, that speaks volumes. Both QBs stand tall at 6’1, possess deep-ball accuracy, and the ability to call plays on the run.

Baker himself acknowledged the comparison, complimenting Mateer. “I think there are similarities in our game, just the way he carries himself,” he said in a visit to Norman.

McShay continued. “He’s (Mateer) got a good arm, but Baker’s got a stronger arm. But he plays with that urgency and that excitement and that like just like there’s no throw he’s not that there’s no throw that he’s afraid to attempt.”  Todd McShay was in awe of Matter’s 2024 season’s game against Texas Tech (when he was with Washington State). “Texas Tech is up 34-7 midway through the fourth quarter; He picks up the first down and goes bolting toward the left sideline, gets tracked down, cuts like, and at that point it’s like, “Come on, John. Just step out of bounds; Cuts back inside, takes off. He runs like a four-five.”

From last season, both his stock and Performance have been on the rise. After chipping in 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns, he transferred to Norman, making some promises for Brent Venebles’ SEC dream. Oklahoma’s tough schedule fits Mateer’s SEC needs to show the NFL scouts his explosiveness. After already playing Michigan and Auburn Tigers, the Sooners are due to face off against Ole Miss, Tennessee, Alabama, and the LSU Tigers.