Miami top 2 for Washington State transfer QB John Mateer per report

Miami could use its pipeline to Pullman, Washington for the second consecutive year in the transfer portal. Pete Nakos of On3 Washington State quarterback John Mateer is the highest-ranked transfer signal caller in the portal for the second consecutive cycle. Miami has emerged as a team to compete with Oklahoma for Mateer.

Pete Nakos of On3 reported that Miami is expected to push Oklahoma for a commitment from Mateer. Washington State offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle is now at Oklahoma and QBs coach John Kuceyeski is also expected to be hired by the Sooners per Matt Zenitz of 247Sports.

Mateer had a breakout season after backing up Cam Ward in 2022 and 2023. Mateer completed 64.55 percent of his pass attempts for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions with 826 yards rushing and another 15 scores in 2024. ESPN, On3 and 247Sports list Mateer as the unanamious top 2025 transfer QB.

Oklahoma is a prohibitive favorite to sign Mateer. The On3 Prediction Machine lists Oklahoma with a 99.9 percent chance of signing Mateer. Recruiting and the transfer portal frequently evolve. Ward initially declared for the 2024 NFL Draft before changing his mind a few weeks later and transferring to Miami.

Arbuckle and Kuceyeski being hired by Oklahoma could give the Sooners the advantage to sign Mateer. Ward will be able to discuss his experience of transferring to Miami from Washington State and playing under Hurricanes' offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson. Ward significantly improved his draft stock in 2024.

Head coach Mario Cristobal, Dawson and the Miami staff went all in on Ward for 2024 and it paid off. When Ward initially entered the NFL Draft, Miami did not panic and pivot to another QB. They could do the same with Mateer. If Mateer commits to Oklahoma and enrolls in Norman it will be more difficult than landing Ward was for 2024.