In a stunning development that’s rocking the college football landscape, Oklahoma Sooners quarterback John Mateer has turned down a jaw-dropping $4.5 million NIL deal from the University of Georgia to remain with Oklahoma for the 2025 season. The decision, confirmed late Friday evening, sent shockwaves through both the SEC and Big 12 fanbases as Mateer, 21, prioritized loyalty over a record-setting payday.
Sources close to the situation revealed that Georgia had aggressively pursued Mateer to replace outgoing star Carson Beck, who is expected to be a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Bulldogs offered a lucrative NIL package reportedly backed by multiple Atlanta-based corporations, designed to instantly make Mateer one of the highest-paid college athletes in the nation.
But Mateer, who secured $2.1 million in NIL endorsements with Oklahoma last December—including deals with a major energy company, a national sports drink brand, and several local Oklahoma businesses—stunned insiders by opting to stay in Norman.
“This is home. This team is family,” Mateer said in a heartfelt statement on social media. “I came to Oklahoma to build something, not to chase checks. I respect Georgia, but my journey isn’t finished here.”
Mateer’s decision comes at a time when loyalty in college football is becoming increasingly rare. With the transfer portal and NIL deals turning the sport into a virtual free agency, players are more mobile—and marketable—than ever before. His commitment to Oklahoma is being hailed by many as a throwback to a bygone era.
Head coach Brent Venables praised Mateer’s leadership and maturity. “John is everything we want in a Sooner. His talent is elite, but what sets him apart is his character. In this day and age, that’s priceless.”
The Sooners are expected to be playoff contenders in 2025, and Mateer will be central to that push. He threw for 3,145 yards and 28 touchdowns last season while leading Oklahoma to an 11–2 record and a New Year’s Six bowl appearance.
With Georgia now scrambling to fill their quarterback vacancy and Mateer doubling down on his Sooners legacy, one thing is certain: the college football world won’t stop talking about this bold, culture-shifting decision anytime soon.
