The combination of an evolved transfer portal and NIL opportunities has created quite a market boom for the top players in the transfer portal.
There’s a proven track record of success for teams supplementing their rosters through the portal, and when a guy like John Mateer became available this past cycle, the biggest programs in the country got donors on the phone.
The Miami Hurricanes were willing to make Mateer the highest-paid player in the country, and North Carolina was reportedly offering the “largest deal in NIL history” to land the talented Washington State transfer. However, when it came time to put pen to paper, Mateer opted to reunite with his offensive coordinator in Norman.
It’s not like he’s going broke as a Sooner, though, as Mateer is still among the highest-paid players in college football.
According to a report from ESPN’s Pete Nakos, Mateer is set to make around $3 million as the Sooners’ new signal-caller.
As SoonerScoop’s George Stoia points out, this number is the total that Mateer would make in two seasons if he returns for his senior season in 2026.
Mateer was the hottest name in the portal when he entered, and for good reason. In just his first season as a starter, Mateer racked up nearly 4,000 yards of offense and 44 touchdowns under Ben Arbuckle at Washington State.
Now, with a talented cast around him, Mateer hopes that he can bring that sort of production back to Norman after two 6-7 seasons in the last three year.
