Oklahoma's Mateer, Lewis Return for 2026 Season

Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer and linebacker Kip Lewis, key figures on the Sooners' offense and defense, will return for the 2026 season, the university announced Thursday on social media.

The announcement provides stability for coach Brent Venables' program after a 10-3 campaign in 2025 that marked Oklahoma's first appearance in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. Mateer, a 21-year-old transfer from Washington State, guided the team to the postseason in his debut season with the Sooners. He completed 62.2 percent of his passes for 2,885 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over 12 games. Mateer also contributed on the ground with 431 rushing yards and a team-high eight scores. Lewis anchored the defense with 76 tackles, including 10.5 for loss, establishing himself as the unit's leading tackler on one of the nation's strongest groups.

Mateer's season started with promise, as he led Oklahoma to a 4-0 start in September and emerged as a Heisman Trophy contender. However, a fractured thumb on his throwing hand during a Week 4 game against Auburn sidelined him for one contest and disrupted his rhythm. He underwent surgery and returned quickly but struggled in...