Oklahoma’s Mateer and Lewis Opt to Return for 2026 Season

John Mateer and Kip Lewis, two key players for the Oklahoma Sooners, will return for the 2026 football season. The quarterback and linebacker made their decisions public on January 15, just after the deadline for early NFL Draft declarations. This news came through the university's social media and gives the team a solid base as they prepare for another year in the SEC.

Background

Oklahoma football had a good 2025 season under head coach Brent Venables. The Sooners finished with a 10-2 record and made it to the College Football Playoff for the first time in a while. They lost in the first round to Alabama, but the year showed progress since joining the SEC.

John Mateer transferred to Oklahoma from Washington State before the 2025 season. He followed his old offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, who runs the offense in Norman. Mateer started strong, helping the team go 4-0 in September. He threw six touchdown passes and ran for five more scores early on, with just three interceptions.

Things changed when Mateer broke a bone in his throwing hand against Auburn. He missed one game and had surgery. When he came back for the Texas game in the Red River Rivalry, he struggled. From that point through the end of the regular season against LSU, he threw six touchdowns but seven interceptions. His grip on the ball was not the same right after the injury. Still, he improved in the final games, putting up 312 passing yards per game against LSU and Alabama.

Mateer ended the year with 2,885 passing yards, 14 touchdown passes, and 11 interceptions. He ran for 431 yards and eight touchdowns, second on the team in rushing. Early in the season, people saw him as a top Heisman Trophy pick, but the injury slowed him down.

Kip Lewis has been a steady part of the defense. The linebacker from Carthage, Texas, started 30 of the last 31 games. In 2025, he led the team with 76 tackles. He added four sacks, four passes broken up, and was third in tackles for loss. The Sooners defense ranked in the top 15 nationally, holding teams to under 20 points per game on average. Lewis served as a team captain and helped turn around a unit that had issues before.

Both players thought about the NFL but chose to come back for their final year of eligibility. Mateer is a redshirt senior. Lewis uses his last season too. Their shared jersey number, 10, showed up in the announcement with '10²,' hinting at their combined effect.

Key Details

The announcements hit social media on Thursday, January 15. That was one day after the NFL list came out for early draft entries. Neither Mateer nor Lewis appeared on the list of 42 underclassmen who declared. Wide receiver Isaiah Sategna also said he would return, switching from number 5 to 1. Kicker Tate Sandell announced his return the week before.

Oklahoma has been busy in the transfer portal. They lost linebacker Kobie McKinzie but gained Cole Sullivan from Michigan. Other additions include tight end Hayden Hansen, wide receivers Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone, and offensive tackle E'Marion Harris. Mateer helped recruit some of these skill players. The portal window closes soon, on Friday.

Mateer's Path

Mateer grew up in Little Elm, Texas, but played high school ball with Oklahoma ties. At Washington State, he worked with Arbuckle. Coming to Oklahoma let him play near home and in a bigger spotlight. Analysts saw him as a mid-round draft pick, but he wants to improve his skills and aim for a better playoff run. His dual-threat style fits Arbuckle's offense, which uses runs and play-action.

In the playoff loss to Alabama, Mateer threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Venables praised him after that game.

"He's a warrior," Venables said. "He's got everything that you want in a competitor, in a leader, in a quarterback."

Lewis's Role

Lewis anchors Brent Venables' defense. With him back, plus young players like Kendal Daniels and Reggie Powers III, the unit looks strong. They return four of five offensive linemen, both running backs including Xavier Robinson, and now Sategna for targets. This continuity helps across the board.

What This Means

These returns give Oklahoma stability heading into 2026. The Sooners open against UTEP on September 5. Their SEC schedule includes tough games against Texas and Georgia. With Mateer at quarterback, the offense has a chance to grow in year two with Arbuckle. If he stays healthy, his experience against SEC defenses should help. The running game and line returns add power.

On defense, Lewis leads a group that added Sullivan. They aim to keep opponents low-scoring. Venables is in his fifth year and focuses on building a team for titles. The program calls the 2026 squad Team 132. Fans feel good about the core staying put.

Mateer's return secures the quarterback spot. Teams often chase transfers there, but Oklahoma bet on him improving. Lewis keeps the linebacker group solid after losses. Together, they bring leadership from the 2025 playoff team.

The Sooners now shift to spring practice and summer work. Offseason training will test if Mateer shakes off the injury effects. Lewis will guide the defense. Recruits see this as a winning program. In the SEC, every edge counts, and these choices provide one.

Oklahoma enters the year with most starters back on offense and key defense pieces. A healthy Mateer could push passing numbers higher. Lewis's tackles and versatility stop runs and covers passes. The schedule tests them early, but home games in Norman draw big crowds.

This setup positions the Sooners for another playoff shot. They want more than a first-round exit. Venables has the pieces to chase that. The fan base buzzes with hope for Team 132.