With Brent Venables’s three new weapons amid an injury crisis, John Mateer’s Oklahoma future takes a turn for the worse.

As the 2025 college football season looms, the Oklahoma Sooners are navigating a season of change, adversity, and potential under the leadership of head coach Brent Venables. Known for his aggressive defensive strategies, Venables has not only bolstered his defensive line but also worked to replenish and refine his roster amid an unexpected injury crisis. However, while these developments promise a bright future for the Sooners, the fate of John Mateer, one of the program’s rising stars, appears uncertain.

This article will explore how Brent Venables has reshaped Oklahoma’s roster with the addition of three key recruits—what these moves mean for the Sooners’ future—and how, in the wake of an injury crisis, Mateer’s future with Oklahoma football has taken a concerning turn.

Brent Venables’s Bold Moves Amid Injury Crisis

The news of an injury crisis hitting Oklahoma football has sent shockwaves throughout the program. Several key players, who were expected to lead the team in the upcoming season, have been sidelined due to significant injuries. These injuries have placed a heavy burden on the coaching staff and management team to fill gaps in critical positions, leading Brent Venables to look for immediate reinforcements to ensure that the Sooners can continue competing at the highest level.

However, despite these setbacks, Venables has made several bold and strategic moves to improve his roster and ensure the team remains competitive. His decision to target and secure three new “weapons” for Oklahoma has been seen as a tactical approach to mitigate the loss of some of the program’s most vital contributors. These additions are meant to help Oklahoma maintain depth at key positions, especially as the Sooners navigate the uncertainties of their injury-riddled roster.

The Three Key Additions

The first of these critical reinforcements is Jaden Harris, a highly rated wide receiver from Dallas, Texas, who has been lauded for his speed and ability to stretch the field. Harris, whose breakout performances during his high school career put him on the map as one of the most sought-after wideouts in the nation, is expected to step into a leading role for the Sooners. His ability to create explosive plays could prove to be a game-changer, particularly as the team recovers from the loss of some of its established offensive weapons.

The second significant addition is Jordan Watts, a versatile linebacker from California. With the Sooners facing depth concerns in their linebacking corps, Watts’s athleticism and football IQ have made him an immediate fit for Venables’s defense. His ability to play in multiple defensive schemes gives the Sooners flexibility in how they approach matchups against high-powered offenses, especially in the fast-paced Big 12 conference.

The third “weapon” added to Oklahoma’s arsenal is Malik Williams, a cornerback who has made a name for himself as a ball hawk in the secondary. After an impressive high school career where he accumulated numerous interceptions and forced fumbles, Williams arrives at Oklahoma as a highly touted prospect who has the potential to solidify the Sooners’ defensive backfield. His ability to cover elite wide receivers and create turnovers will be critical for Oklahoma’s defense, especially as the program recovers from injuries on the defensive side of the ball.

Together, these three recruits bring not only talent but also much-needed depth to positions where the Sooners had begun to experience vulnerabilities due to injuries. Their arrivals could be the difference between Oklahoma remaining a championship contender and potentially falling short.

John Mateer’s Injury Woes

While Venables’s decision to bring in these new recruits is seen as a proactive measure to keep the team competitive, John Mateer, one of the program’s rising talents, has found himself in a precarious position. Known for his athleticism and potential, Mateer was initially considered one of Oklahoma’s key players for the future—especially with the significant expectations placed on him for the upcoming season.

However, due to a series of injuries, Mateer has struggled to stay healthy, and this has cast a shadow over his future with the program. After an impressive freshman season, where he showed promise as a tight end and occasional red-zone target, Mateer seemed to be on track to become a cornerstone of the Sooners’ offensive attack. Unfortunately, a series of injuries—ranging from a hamstring issue to more serious knee and ankle problems—has left the young player sidelined for extended periods.

With each injury setback, Mateer’s chance to solidify a consistent starting role and increase his visibility in the Sooners’ offense has diminished. Although his talent remains undeniable, the injuries have left Venables and the coaching staff with difficult decisions regarding his future with the program.

The coaching staff had initially planned for Mateer to be a key piece in the offensive puzzle, contributing to an already-talented tight end group. His ability to block effectively and be a reliable target in the passing game made him a potential mismatch for opposing defenses. However, the inability to stay healthy has forced the coaching staff to reassess their strategy and look for other options, especially with the emergence of new players and a changing offensive scheme.

The Impact of the New Recruits on Mateer’s Future

The arrival of the three new recruits—Harris, Watts, and Williams—adds more competition to an already crowded roster, making Mateer’s future at Oklahoma increasingly uncertain. As the Sooners look to fill the gaps created by the injuries to other key players, the new additions represent not only fresh talent but also an infusion of depth in crucial positions.

For Mateer, this means that the pressure is mounting. Oklahoma has been quick to adapt to the changing dynamics of the roster, and with the addition of highly touted recruits like Harris and Watts, there is now a greater urgency to get players healthy and ready to contribute. While Mateer remains a valuable asset to the program, his prolonged injury woes have left him vulnerable, especially with new recruits coming in who are expected to make an immediate impact.

In particular, the addition of Harris, a wide receiver, could affect how Oklahoma approaches its offensive formation and playcalling. If the team can rely on players like Harris to stretch the field and create mismatches, the role of tight ends like Mateer could diminish as the offensive scheme adjusts to maximize the strengths of the new recruits.

Similarly, with Jordan Watts arriving as a linebacker, it could signal a shift in defensive priorities, reducing the focus on other positions. While the Sooners’ offense had previously been seen as an area where Mateer could shine, now it’s possible that Venables might look to optimize other positions with the new recruits, leaving Mateer fighting for opportunities.

The Transfer Portal: A Possible Path for Mateer

As the Sooners move forward with a more competitive roster, the possibility of John Mateer seeking a transfer has increased. With his injury struggles limiting his opportunities at Oklahoma, Mateer may look for a fresh start at another program, one where he can maximize his potential and get the consistent playing time he needs to develop.

While it’s too early to say if Mateer will make such a decision, the transfer portal has become a common route for players in situations like his. If he remains unable to regain full health and secure a starting spot in Oklahoma’s offense, moving to a school where he could be a more prominent contributor might make sense for his future.

However, this decision would not be easy. Mateer has undoubtedly invested significant time and energy into Oklahoma football, and leaving would be a difficult choice both personally and professionally. But with the competition now stronger than ever, particularly with the influx of talented new players, the landscape has changed for Mateer. His next steps will depend on his health, his ability to return to form, and the opportunities available to him within the program or elsewhere.