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The Oklahoma Sooners have a total of seven Heisman Trophy winners in the program's storied history. Running backs Billy Vessels (1952), Steve Owens (1969), and Billy Sims (1978) took home the coveted award in the 20th century, while quarterbacks Jason White (2003), Sam Bradford (2008), Baker Mayfield (2017), and Kyler Murray (2018) captured the trophy in the 21st century.
However, the last time OU had a player finish the season as a Heisman finalist came in 2019. That means Oklahoma has yet to have a Heisman finalist in the Brent Venables era.
One ESPN analyst thinks that could all change this season. Jordan Rodgers highlighted his top five Heisman Trophy candidates coming into the season, and he placed OU starting quarterback John Mateer at No. 5 on his list. Mateer finished behind Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss, Texas QB Arch Manning, Indiana QB Josh Hoover, and Ohio State QB Julian Sayin.
"He's gonna be 100% healthy," Rodgers said. "When he is, he's one of the more dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the country ... John Mateer's gonna put up massive numbers."
Of course, Mateer was the Heisman Trophy favorite through the first month of the season last year, but his broken hand derailed that train. His play dropped off after having surgery, and he couldn't place the ball the same way he had in September.
This year, the Sooners feel they've upgraded the wide receiver and tight end rooms around him, and they are a year older on the offensive line. Add that to the returns of last year's top two running backs and an emphasis on running the ball better in 2026, and you've got what should be a more effective offense around the quarterback.
Mateer shouldn't have to be a superhero for the Sooners to win this year. The offense should be more balanced, with him still serving as the head of the attack. Pair that with what's expected to be another shutdown Venables defense, and if Mateer does play Heisman finalist-level football this year, it could certainly be a season to remember in Norman.
(Winners in bold, finalists in italics)
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X@Aaron_Gelvin.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: ESPN analyst names John Mateer a top 5 Heisman Trophy candidate
Continue reading...
However, the last time OU had a player finish the season as a Heisman finalist came in 2019. That means Oklahoma has yet to have a Heisman finalist in the Brent Venables era.
One ESPN analyst thinks that could all change this season. Jordan Rodgers highlighted his top five Heisman Trophy candidates coming into the season, and he placed OU starting quarterback John Mateer at No. 5 on his list. Mateer finished behind Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss, Texas QB Arch Manning, Indiana QB Josh Hoover, and Ohio State QB Julian Sayin.
"He's gonna be 100% healthy," Rodgers said. "When he is, he's one of the more dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the country ... John Mateer's gonna put up massive numbers."
Of course, Mateer was the Heisman Trophy favorite through the first month of the season last year, but his broken hand derailed that train. His play dropped off after having surgery, and he couldn't place the ball the same way he had in September.
This year, the Sooners feel they've upgraded the wide receiver and tight end rooms around him, and they are a year older on the offensive line. Add that to the returns of last year's top two running backs and an emphasis on running the ball better in 2026, and you've got what should be a more effective offense around the quarterback.
Mateer shouldn't have to be a superhero for the Sooners to win this year. The offense should be more balanced, with him still serving as the head of the attack. Pair that with what's expected to be another shutdown Venables defense, and if Mateer does play Heisman finalist-level football this year, it could certainly be a season to remember in Norman.
Oklahoma's 21st-century Heisman Trophy top 10 voting results
(Winners in bold, finalists in italics)
- 2000: QB Josh Heupel (2nd)
- 2001: DB Roy Williams (7th)
- 2002: RB Quentin Griffin (10th)
- 2003: QB Jason White (1st)
- 2004: RB Adrian Peterson (2nd), QB Jason White (3rd)
- 2008: QB Sam Bradford (1st)
- 2015: QB Baker Mayfield (4th)
- 2016: QB Baker Mayfield (3rd), WR Dede Westbrook (4th)
- 2017: QB Baker Mayfield (1st)
- 2018: QB Kyler Murray (1st)
- 2019: QB Jalen Hurts (2nd)
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X@Aaron_Gelvin.
This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: ESPN analyst names John Mateer a top 5 Heisman Trophy candidate
Continue reading...
