Being among college football’s top quarterbacks demands a hefty payday in the NIL era.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is the only non-quarterback hold a top-10 NIL valuation in college football, per On3. Texas’ Arch Manning, Miami’s Carson Beck and Florida’s DJ Lagway lead the group with valuations over $3.8 million heading into the 2025 season.
There isn’t much of a monetary drop off for unrenowned passers, either, as a report on Wednesday revealed that Washington State transfer quarterback John Mateer signed with the Oklahoma Sooners on a deal worth around $3 million, per On3’s Pete Nakos.
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables and Co. struggled to find consistency at the position last year behind Jackson Arnold and Michael Hawkins Jr. The Sooners finished at 6-7 behind the nation’s 97th scoring offense and 119th passing offense.
Faced with some tough decisions to address the offensive issues, Oklahoma responded by bringing in Ben Arbuckle as offensive coordinator out of Washington State.
And Arnold transferred to Auburn, opening the door for Arbuckle to bring in Mateer, who put together a career year with the Cougars under Arbuckle’s tutelage.
Mateer (6-foot-1, 219 pounds) had never logged a start before taking over as a redshirt sophomore in 2024.
Yet the former three-star recruit went on to complete 64.6% of his passes for 3,139 yards with 29 touchdowns to seven interceptions while adding 826 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.
Mateer will have some competition to win the starting role, as Hawkins returns after logging three starts for the Sooners as a redshirt freshman.
Oklahoma began spring practice last week and the spring period will culminate with a scrimmage game on April 12.
The new-look Sooners will open the 2025 season at home against Illinois State on Aug. 30.