John Mateer: Age, Injury Update, Playing Today, Thumb Concerns & Full Stats Breakdown

John Mateer has emerged as one of the most intriguing and dynamic quarterbacks in college football in 2025. As the Oklahoma Sooners’ starting QB, his dual-threat play style, statistical output, injury comeback story, and future potential have generated intense attention from fans, analysts, and NFL scouts alike.

This comprehensive article dives into how old John Mateer is, whether he’s playing today, his thumb injury, in-season stats, and much more. Let’s get started with the basics.

1. Who Is John Mateer?

John Mateer is an American college football quarterback who currently stars for the Oklahoma Sooners in the 2025 NCAA Division I football season.

Born on April 28, 2004, in Little Elm, Texas, Mateer is a 6-foot-1, 224-pound athlete known for his arm talent and mobility at quarterback.

He started his collegiate career at Washington State University (WSU), where he gradually cemented his reputation as a rising star before entering the transfer portal and moving to Oklahoma.

2. How Old Is John Mateer?

As of December 2025, John Mateer is 21 years old.

He was born on April 28, 2004, which makes him a young but experienced quarterback for his junior season in college football.

Mateer’s youth — combined with his production — positions him as one of the more promising QB talents in the NCAA going into the NFL Draft discussion and Heisman Trophy mix.

3. Early Football Journey & College Path

High School Success

Before college, Mateer was a standout at Little Elm High School in Texas:

• Threw for 2,268 yards as a junior and broke his own record as a senior with 2,449 yards.

• Racked up significant rushing production: 847 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns as a senior.

Although not a five-star recruit, his athletic ability and big arm made him highly sought after.

4. Washington State Breakout

Mateer redshirted his first year at WSU in 2022, then gradually earned starting opportunities.

In 2024 he flourished:

• Threw for 3,139 yards

• Ran for 826 yards

• Totaled 44 touchdowns across passing and rushing

• Earned Pac-12 recognition as a top performer.

His combination of playmaking and dual-threat ability sparked national buzz and made him one of the biggest names in the transfer portal — eventually leading to his move to Oklahoma in December 2024.

5. Oklahoma Sooners: 2025 Season Performance

Mateer made an explosive debut for the Sooners in 2025. Highlights include:

• Record-setting 392 passing yards in his first OU game.

• Major impact performances against top teams such as Michigan with 270 yards passing and two rushing TDs.

Team Role & Offensive Fit

Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle both view Mateer as the focal point of the Sooners’ offense, blending pocket passing with explosive runs when needed.

6. Is John Mateer Playing Today?

As of December 20, 2025, it’s expected that Mateer is available to play while the Sooners prepare for postseason action, including a potential College Football Playoff appearance.

After missing time due to injury earlier in the season, he has returned to the field and completed the regular schedule.

However, his exact status for a specific game today depends on game-day decisions, which usually release official confirmations hours before kickoff.

7. Thumb Injury: What Happened?

One of the biggest storylines of Mateer’s season was a thumb injury to his throwing hand suffered in late September during a game against Auburn.

Surgery & Recovery

• He underwent surgery in late September 2025 to address the injury.

• Mateer missed one game while recovering and returned earlier than initially expected.

The surgery appeared successful, but his performance post-surgery hasn’t fully matched his pre-injury production.

Thumb Protection

Mateer still tapes his thumb before practice and games, but he insists the thumb isn’t an excuse for his moderate struggles in accuracy and decision-making since the surgery.

8. 2025 Statistical Breakdown

Here’s a snapshot of Mateer’s 2025 season numbers (regular season + postseason potential):

Passing Stats

• 2,578 passing yards

• 12 passing touchdowns

• 10 interceptions

• 62.1% completion percentage

• QBR around 65.5% (per ESPN)

Rushing Stats

• 416 rushing yards

• 7 rushing touchdowns
  These figures confirm his value as a dual-threat quarterback.

Career Totals (WSU + Oklahoma)

• Over 5,800 total passing yards

• 44+ passing TDs

• Significant rushing yard contributions from both schools.

9. Mateer’s Playing Style & Strengths

John Mateer is known for:

Dynamic Dual-Threat Play

• Capable of big plays through the air or on the ground.

• His mobility creates uncertainty for defenses.

Competitive Fire

• Analysts and teammates note Mateer’s willingness to play through pain and adversity.

Big-Game Upside

• Late-game drives, long touchdowns, and clutch runs have defined his career.

10. Challenges & Areas for Growth

Despite his talent, Mateer faces a few consistent critiques:

• Decision-making under pressure — sometimes forcing throws.

• Post-injury rhythm — his accuracy and mobility dipped slightly after surgery.

Oklahoma’s coaching staff emphasizes refining fundamentals and reducing turnovers to unleash his full potential.

11. Future Outlook: NFL Draft & Heisman Talk

Entering late 2025, Mateer is frequently mentioned in Heisman Trophy discussions — especially earlier in the season before his injury.

His combination of athleticism and production also places him on NFL scouts’ radars for future draft consideration, provided he continues to refine his play.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. How old is John Mateer?

A: John Mateer is 21 years old as of December 2025, having been born on April 28, 2004.

Q2. Is John Mateer playing today?

A: As of December 2025, he is active and expected to play for Oklahoma, with availability dependent on official game-day roster announcements.

Q3. What injury did John Mateer have?

A: Mateer suffered a thumb injury to his throwing hand during a 2025 game and underwent surgery in late September.

Q4. What are his 2025 stats?

A: In 2025, Mateer has thrown for 2,578 yards, 12 TDs, 10 INTs and rushed for 416 yards with 7 TDs.

Q5. What college teams has John Mateer played for?

A: He started at Washington State Cougars (2022–2024) and transferred to the Oklahoma Sooners in 2025.

Q6. Is Mateer considered an NFL prospect?

A: Yes, many analysts view him as a potential NFL Draft prospect due to his dual-threat skills and leadership. Continuous improvement could solidify that status.

Conclusion

John Mateer’s 2025 season has been a roller coaster — from national breakout moments and dazzling stats to injury setbacks and a tougher post-surgery stretch. Yet, he remains one of the most compelling quarterbacks in college football.