NORMAN - John Mateer finds value in working with a particular quality of person each day at practice. When the conversation focuses heavily on athletic ability, Mateer looks at things slightly different.
"The relationship off the field matters a lot, because you get to know them and gain trust in who they are as people," Mateer said on Friday.
Make no mistake, Oklahoma is confident about the athletic quality of player they have surrounding Mateer in Ben Arbuckle'soffense. But Mateer's perspective cuts through the results-based hyperfocus and into the human element of the game.
"Then you go on the field, and say you have a miscommunication, it's not like there's no hope. You care about each other and you want to succeed for the team, for the greater good," he added.
A situation like the one Mateer described occurred during OU's scrimmage Friday. The second-year Sooner quarterback admitted he threw a poor pass intended for new receiver Trell Harris - one bad enough that Mateer knew most receivers might give him an earful afterward.
Fortunately, Mateer and Harris - who spent all offseason rehabbing from a pre-spring surgery - have already built a solid chemistry together.
"It happened today with me and Trell," Mateer said. "I messed up, I really did. It was a bad throw, I'll be honest. He could easily be like, 'Oh my, this guy...,' but he didn't. We've got love for each other, and we just move day to day."
Already, Mateer enters 2026 with established rapport with Isaiah Sategna, who earned All-SEC honors despite Oklahoma's offense falling short of the program's usual standard. Building similar chemistry with Harris and Parker Livingstone will be crucial to the offense's growth.
It's intriguing that Mateer and Harris have already built a strong relationship. Back during SEC Media Days, Brent Venables revealed that Harris had just recently began running routes at full speed. Emmett Jones mentioned that Harris had a "setback" during the offseason that made his rehab slightly longer.
Despite all that, Mateer and Harris still worked towards what they hope is a strong bond during the season.
"You just make sure that anything I learn and you watch a rep that somebody else does and then you make sure he gets that learned," Mateer said. "There's different coverages and stuff and what one guy does against the coverage, good or bad, you just go, 'Hey, did you see that?' 'Go watch it. I'll send it to you. You know, this is what I think.'
"You can learn from other people. I think that's huge. You don't have to get to learn for yourself. That'll translate for anybody in the game of football."
Harris returned to practice at 100% early during OU's Fall Camp. His mentality has helped build an even stronger relationship with his quarterback.
"He's smart. He sets the tone. He's always ready to go," Mateer said. "If anybody sees a look in his eye, we share the look. He's a leader. He's older. I appreciate him, so he brings it to me, like I want to play well for him and all the guys."
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/oklahoma as Oklahoma's John Mateer Built Chemistry With Trell Harris Despite Offseason Recovery .
