Breaking News: John Mateer Flips Commitment from Washington State to Oklahoma Sooners
In a major development for both Washington State and Oklahoma, four-star recruit John Mateer, an elite offensive lineman from the Pacific Northwest, has announced he is flipping his commitment from the Washington State Cougars to the Oklahoma Sooners. The move, which came as a shock to many recruiting insiders, has wide-reaching implications for both programs as well as the future landscape of college football recruiting. The 6’6”, 300-pound prospect, who had been committed to Washington State for several months, will now set his sights on the powerhouse program in Norman, Oklahoma.
This news is not only a pivotal moment in the recruitment of Mateer himself but also signals a potential shift in recruiting dynamics between these two programs. While Washington State has historically been considered a solid, though secondary, player in the Pac-12’s recruiting race, Oklahoma has long been a recruiting juggernaut in the Big 12 and beyond. The move has fans and experts alike analyzing the circumstances surrounding the flip, the motivations behind it, and what it could mean for the future of both schools.
A Changing Landscape: The Story of John Mateer
John Mateer’s recruitment had been one of the more intriguing stories of the 2024 recruiting class. A native of Seattle, Washington, Mateer began his high school career at a relatively small but competitive high school, where he quickly gained attention for his raw athleticism and physicality on the offensive line. Standing at an imposing 6’6” and weighing in at 300 pounds, Mateer’s size alone made him an attractive prospect for programs across the country. However, it was his combination of athleticism, agility, and football IQ that truly set him apart.
Mateer’s breakout performance came during his junior season when he helped lead his team to the state semifinals. Throughout that season, scouts began to notice his excellent footwork and ability to get to the second level on running plays, as well as his solid pass protection, even against elite edge rushers. By the time his senior year arrived, Mateer had established himself as one of the top offensive line prospects in the entire class.
By the summer of 2023, Mateer had begun to receive offers from some of the biggest programs in the country, including USC, Alabama, and Oklahoma. However, it was Washington State, a program known for its high-powered offense and consistent ability to develop talent despite limited resources, that initially won out for his commitment. In late June 2023, Mateer announced his verbal pledge to the Cougars, citing his connection with the coaching staff and the potential for early playing time as key factors in his decision.
At the time of his commitment, Washington State head coach Jake Dickert and offensive line coach Dave McGinnis had built a strong rapport with Mateer. Washington State had made significant strides in recruiting over the past few years, and securing a commitment from a top-tier talent like Mateer was seen as a major win for the program. It was expected that Mateer would be a centerpiece in Washington State’s offensive line for years to come.
The Flipping Moment
The landscape of college football recruiting is ever-changing, and commitments are far from final until a player signs his National Letter of Intent (NLI). In the case of Mateer, the situation began to shift when Oklahoma entered the picture late in the recruiting process. Despite his verbal commitment to Washington State, Mateer maintained strong communication with several other programs, and as the 2024 recruiting cycle wore on, Oklahoma emerged as a serious contender.
The Sooners had been tracking Mateer since his sophomore year, and despite being committed to Washington State, they never ceased their pursuit. Oklahoma’s offensive line coach, Bill Bedenbaugh, is one of the top recruiters in the country, known for his ability to identify and develop elite talent. Bedenbaugh’s reputation for producing NFL-caliber offensive linemen is a significant draw for top recruits, and that allure may have played a significant role in Mateer’s decision.
Several factors contributed to Mateer’s flip to Oklahoma, and while he has yet to comment extensively on the reasoning behind the decision, there are several key elements that likely influenced the change:
- Program Prestige and Development: Oklahoma, historically one of the most successful programs in college football, has long been a destination for top-tier offensive line recruits. Under Bedenbaugh, the Sooners have produced a string of first-round offensive line prospects, including players like Orlando Brown, Cody Ford, and Tyrese Robinson. The opportunity to join a program with such a rich tradition of success and NFL talent likely weighed heavily in Mateer’s decision.
- Immediate Playing Time: While Washington State offered an early opportunity for playing time, Oklahoma’s program also made it clear that Mateer would be in the mix for significant playing time early in his career. With several players on the offensive line departing due to graduation and the NFL Draft, Oklahoma’s 2024 offensive line depth chart had several openings, and Mateer could see early action in a critical role.
- Oklahoma’s National Championship Ambitions: Oklahoma is consistently a contender for the College Football Playoff, and Mateer likely saw the Sooners as a team with the potential to compete for national championships during his time in Norman. Washington State, on the other hand, while competitive in the Pac-12, does not carry the same national championship aspirations or visibility.
- The Pull of the Big 12: Oklahoma’s presence in the Big 12, one of the Power Five conferences, offered a larger stage for Mateer to showcase his skills, particularly in big conference games against top-tier defenses. While Washington State competes in the Pac-12, a league that has seen significant changes in recent years, Oklahoma’s position in the Big 12 may have been seen as an opportunity to compete at the highest level of college football week in and week out.
- Personal and Family Factors: While not publicly confirmed, there are often personal and family considerations that factor into a recruitment decision. Mateer’s family may have been more inclined to support a move to a program like Oklahoma, especially with its central location and history of developing players for the NFL.
The Reaction: Oklahoma Sooners Fans Celebrate
The reaction from Oklahoma fans was overwhelmingly positive when the news broke that Mateer had flipped his commitment to the Sooners. Fans on social media platforms like Twitter and Reddit flooded the Oklahoma football pages with excited reactions, welcoming Mateer to the program and praising the coaching staff for their success in securing such a highly regarded player.
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables, who has built a reputation as a hard-nosed recruiter and defensive mastermind, spoke briefly on the flip, saying, “John is an incredibly gifted young man, and we are thrilled to have him join the Sooners family. We are excited about what he will bring to our offensive line and to the culture of this program.”
Offensive line coach Bill Bedenbaugh echoed these sentiments, noting, “John is a tremendous talent. His combination of size, strength, and agility is rare, and he is going to be a key part of our offensive line for years to come. We can’t wait to start working with him.”
For Oklahoma, securing Mateer represents a critical win in the 2024 recruiting class. The Sooners are already considered a contender for the Big 12 title and have aspirations of returning to the College Football Playoff, and adding a player like Mateer could be the missing piece in their offensive line.
The Fallout: Washington State’s Reaction
While the reaction from Oklahoma fans has been celebratory, the news was undoubtedly a bitter pill for Washington State. The Cougars had worked tirelessly to recruit Mateer, and losing him to a program like Oklahoma is a tough blow for the program’s recruiting efforts. Washington State head coach Jake Dickert, who had been instrumental in bringing Mateer on board, acknowledged the setback but remained optimistic about the future.
“Recruiting is a fluid process, and we are disappointed that John has decided to move in a different direction,” Dickert said in a statement. “However, we have a strong foundation in place at Washington State, and we will continue to recruit the best players to help us compete at the highest level. We remain focused on the future and are excited about the players we have coming in.”
While Washington State still has a solid recruiting class, including several highly regarded defensive players and skill position talent, the loss of Mateer is a significant blow to their efforts to build a dominant offensive line. The Cougars have had some success in developing offensive linemen over the years, but losing out on a prospect of Mateer’s caliber puts a spotlight on the challenges the program faces in recruiting against the likes of Oklahoma, USC, and other blue-chip programs.
What’s Next for John Mateer?
With his commitment officially flipped to Oklahoma, the next step for John Mateer will be signing his National Letter of Intent in December 2024, which will finalize his commitment to the Sooners. From there, he will focus on preparing for the next level, as he transitions from high school to collegiate football.
During his time at Oklahoma, Mateer will be expected to contribute immediately to the Sooners’ offensive line, which is entering a crucial phase as they aim to return to national prominence. With several key players departing after the 2024 season, Mateer’s development will be crucial to the success of the program in the coming years.
In the meantime, recruiting analysts and experts will continue to follow Mateer’s progress as he prepares for his college career. There is no question that he has the tools to be an immediate impact player, and Oklahoma fans are eager to see how his talents translate to the next level.
Conclusion
John Mateer’s flip from Washington State to Oklahoma is a significant development in the 2024 recruiting cycle, and its impact will be felt for years to come. For Oklahoma, it is a major win, as the Sooners secure one of the top offensive line prospects in the country. For Washington State, it is a painful loss, but the program remains committed to building a competitive future. As college football recruiting continues to evolve, this move serves as a reminder of the fierce competition and the shifting allegiances that define the recruiting world.
Fans, coaches, and analysts alike will be watching Mateer closely as he embarks on his college football journey in Norman, Oklahoma, and the long-term implications of this flip will certainly reverberate across the landscape of college football.
