John Mateer might be the best quarterback in college football. However, his side-arm throws often cause him more harm than good— which dates back to his impressive high school baseball career.
The Oklahoma signal-caller was once considered a five-tool player.
He, unlike most college football quarterbacks in the modern era, chose to play more than one sport all of the way through his 12th grade year. That dual-sport athleticism shows up in his play on the gridiron.
John Mateer can mash!
Mateer, 21, is four years removed from his impressive high school baseball career at Little Elm High School in Texas. He also played for the USA Prime Martin club team during the summers.
At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Mateer often threw in the low-to-mid 80s on his fastball.
Although his arm strength was apparent from the time he first stepped onto the mound, he primarily played at shortstop or on the hot corner. And his bat was just as big of a weapon as his arm.
Little Elm head baseball coach Matt Harbin told OU Daily, “He was really something special.”
That sentiment is still true today. John Mateer was special at Washington State and he looks every bit the part at Oklahoma.
To run for 74 yards and two touchdowns and throw or 270 yards on 21 completions against a top-25 Michigan team is legit. He is probably the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy if you ask me.
His arm slot is the only concern.
Although Mateer made a lot of good throws against the Wolverines, there are times where he throws at a side-arm angle for no reason. His arm slot is something that people point to as a negative.
We’ve watched this 🔟 times already. @John_Mateer4 ➡️ @deionkburks pic.twitter.com/tzXYbgyTn7
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) July 31, 2025
For example:
It looks like he is throwing a baseball, not a football.
That is because, well, John Mateer played baseball up until 2021. He did not even participate on the 7-on-7 circuit because he was busy with a second sport.
Eric Morris lobbied for Washington State head coach Jake Dickert to recruit Mateer. Especially after he watched him play baseball at Little Elm.
“Watching John turn double plays, drop his arm — his arm strength was phenomenal,” he told The Athletic.
There are pros and cons to the dual-sport background.
On one hand, Mateer’s ability to drop his arm and let it rip allows him to throw to receivers who otherwise may not be a viable target. Much like Pat Mahomes.
On the other hand, Mateer might drop his arm a little bit too much. That could prove costly as the season continues and the Sooners enter into SEC play. We’ll see.