Four weeks into the 2025 college football season, the Heisman Trophy race is beginning to take shape, and one name continues to sit at the top of the conversation: John Mateer. The Oklahoma quarterback, who transferred in from Washington State, has been the most consistent and dependable performer in the country so far, and he once again finds himself holding the No. 1 spot in On3’s analyst poll.
Mateer earned 67 points in the latest voting from a panel that included Andy Staples, Ari Wasserman, Chris Low, Brett McMurphy, Pete Nakos, JD PicKell, and Charles Power. It marks the fourth consecutive week that the Sooners’ new signal-caller has led the Heisman rankings. While there is still plenty of football left to be played, his steady play has kept him in front of a crowded field of challengers, and it’s becoming increasingly clear why Oklahoma is considered a playoff contender.
Against a tough opponent in Week 4, Mateer once again showed why he has become the centerpiece of Brent Venables’ offense. The junior completed 24 of 36 passes for 271 yards and a touchdown. He also added 29 yards and another score on 10 rushing attempts. While those numbers may not leap off the page compared to some other Heisman hopefuls, the combination of efficiency, balance, and composure under pressure is exactly what has separated him from the rest of the pack.
Perhaps the most impressive element of Mateer’s season is his consistency. He has now thrown for at least one touchdown and run for another in every game this year. That dual-threat ability makes him a nightmare for defensive coordinators. Opponents can’t key on just his arm or just his legs he forces them to defend the entire field on every snap. For an Oklahoma team that is still looking to assert itself in the SEC after making the jump from the Big 12, Mateer’s reliability has been the key to their success.
The Washington State transfer’s rise has also been one of the most compelling storylines of the season. While he showed flashes of talent in Pullman, few predicted he would emerge as the leading candidate for college football’s most prestigious award so quickly in Norman. His seamless transition into the Sooners’ system speaks volumes about his football IQ, adaptability, and leadership. Teammates and coaches alike have praised his work ethic, noting that he has quickly earned the trust of the locker room.
What makes Mateer’s Heisman case so strong is that his performance isn’t just about stats it’s about impact. Every week, he has delivered when Oklahoma has needed him most. Whether it’s extending drives with his legs, fitting throws into tight windows on third down, or keeping his composure in the red zone, Mateer has been the steady hand guiding the Sooners’ offense. That kind of presence is invaluable, especially for a program that entered the season with questions about how it would fare in the SEC gauntlet.
Through four weeks, Oklahoma looks like a legitimate playoff contender, and Mateer is the biggest reason why. The Sooners’ defense has been improved under Venables, but it is Mateer’s ability to control games offensively that has positioned them as a top-10 team nationally. If he continues to play at this level, it’s not hard to imagine Oklahoma entering November in the thick of the playoff race and Mateer entering December in New York City as a Heisman finalist.
Looking ahead, the Sooners’ schedule will provide plenty of opportunities for Mateer to further solidify his candidacy. Key SEC matchups are on the horizon, and those games will serve as measuring sticks both for Oklahoma as a program and for Mateer as an individual star. If he can deliver against ranked opponents and in hostile road environments, his Heisman stock could soar even higher.
Critics might point out that Mateer’s numbers don’t quite match the explosive stat lines put up by past Heisman winners, but that misses the point. His value lies in his balance. Unlike quarterbacks who rack up passing yards in blowouts, Mateer consistently contributes in multiple phases of the game, keeping defenses honest and his team in control. That kind of complete performance resonates with voters, especially when it translates directly into wins.
In the end, the Heisman Trophy is about more than just stats it’s about narrative, leadership, and the ability to rise to the occasion. Four weeks in, John Mateer embodies all of those qualities. He has led Oklahoma to an unbeaten start, provided the offense with consistency and balance, and delivered in clutch situations. As long as he continues on this trajectory, it will be hard for anyone to knock him from the top spot in the Heisman race.
For now, Mateer remains the face of Oklahoma’s resurgence and the frontrunner for college football’s most prestigious award. With the toughest part of the schedule still to come, his story is far from finished but if the first month is any indication, John Mateer is ready to carry the Sooners into the playoff chase and himself into college football history.
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