Don’t get caught shocked, an Oklahoma player is caught breaking rules. The new Oklahoma QB, John Mateer, who Oklahoma fans call “the next Baker”, is supposed to fix the mess of an embarrassing 6-7 season. If you’re shocked, you’re dumb, just weeks before kickoff, proves his OUDNA by getting caught on Venmo gambling that’s blowing up online. Look, this isn’t new for the Sooners; they’ve got a history of standing by players through arrests and off-field drama, from domestic violence charges to DUIs and everything in between. Guys like Dede Westbrook, Joe Mixon—they stuck with ‘em, suspensions or not. Even in this NIL world where these kids are getting paid real money for the first time, they still manage to find dumb ways to mess it up. Let’s get into it.
Who Is John Mateer? A Quick Background
John Mateer is from Paradise, Texas, and he had a solid run at Washington State last year. Threw for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and ran for 548 yards with 13 more scores. He kept WSU relevant in whatever’s left of the Pac-12, and Oklahoma fans immediately (just like Jackson Arnold) started comparing him to Baker Mayfield because of the arm strength, the mobility, and that “chip-on-the-shoulder attitude”.
He entered the transfer portal in December 2024 as the top QB available at the time, and schools like Miami and North Carolina threw big NIL money at him, however he has that “OU DNA” inside him so he picked Oklahoma on December 18, saying no to the higher offers because he wanted the “SEC challenge” and a shot at turning things around in Norman. Brent Venables even said it publicly: the kid turned down more cash to come here. With Jackson Arnold bolting, Mateer’s the clear starter, and fans were pumped for some hope after telling everyone they were “SEC ready” then beating Maine to make a bowl game where they lose to Navy in Fort Worth.
The Sports Gambling Allegations: What We Know
Then, on August 12, 2025—today, basically—screenshots from Mateer’s Venmo hit the internet, showing payments back in November 2022 to some guy named “Richard Roaten,” who might be former WSU teammate Landon Roaten. The labels? “Sports Gambling,” “Ultra Sports Gambling,” and one tied to the UCLA-USC game. It started on X with @Bryan_Aguada posting them, claiming Mateer bet on college games, and SEC Unfiltered spread it like wildfire. Mateer’s Venmo history got scrubbed quick after that—no transactions visible now.
People are split: some say it’s fake or just a joke—who labels a payment “Sports Gambling” if it’s real? But if it’s legit, the NCAA doesn’t play around with betting on college sports; it could mean eligibility trouble, even though this was from his redshirt year at WSU. Reddit’s r/CFB is full of speculation, and Oklahoma fans are either defending him or bracing for the worst.
No word yet from Mateer, OU, or the NCAA. In the NIL era, with betting apps everywhere, this stuff was bound to happen more and it makes the most sense that a kid wanting to play football for Oklahoma would make this move, but it’s still a headache.
What Does This Mean for Oklahoma Football?
Venables needs wins bad after last season’s disaster, and Mateer was the key piece. His dual-threat style fits what they want to do offensively. If these allegations stick, it could lead to a suspension, forcing them to lean on backups or scramble. But knowing Oklahoma’s track record—they’ve ridden out player arrests before, like with Mixon, hitting a female student so hard she had to have facial reconstruction surgery and Bob Stoops covered it up so Mixon could go to the NFL, on video—they’ll probably stand by Mateer unless the NCAA forces their hand.
Even with NIL deals making these guys mini-pros, the off-field stupidity hasn’t changed. Players get more money, more freedom, but the same bad decisions pop up. For Mateer, this could derail what was shaping up to be a redemption story for the Sooners. If it blows over as a nothingburger, Mateer might be a great QB. If not— it’s just another chapter in Oklahoma’s long list of headaches. Stay tuned; college football never sleeps.
