Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer, once a front-runner for the Heisman Trophy who guided the Sooners back to the College Football Playoff last season, will return for his final year of eligibility, as confirmed by the team on Thursday.
The Sooners also revealed that linebacker Kip Lewis, who led the team in tackles last season, would be back for his final year of eligibility in 2026.
This announcement came just a day after the deadline for players to announce their intention to enter the NFL draft.
Last season, Mateer passed for 2,885 yards, recording 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He ranked second on the team with 431 rushing yards and achieved a team-high of eight rushing touchdowns.
In mid-September, Mateer was the leading candidate for the Heisman Trophy until he fractured a bone in his throwing hand, which caused him to miss a game and subsequently affected his performance upon returning.
