Who will replace John Mateer after Oklahoma star quarterback’s hand injury surgery

John Mateer, the starting quarterback for the Oklahoma Sooners, will have surgery on his right hand after getting hurt in the first quarter of the game against Auburn on Saturday, September 20, 2025, in Norman, Oklahoma.

The Sooners won that game 24–17, but Mateer played most of it with the injury. On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the University of Oklahoma confirmed that Mateer would undergo surgery on Wednesday. Head coach Brent Venables said the team expects Mateer to return sometime later this season.

John Mateer’s right-hand injury and surgery update

Mateer was hurt early in the game at Memorial Stadium in Norman. Even with the injury, he threw for 271 yards and scored a nine-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter that sealed the win for the Sooners.

After talking with medical experts, the school decided surgery was the best plan.

Coach Brent Venables said in the school’s statement, “After consulting with medical experts, it became clear that surgery is the best option for John and his short- and long-term future. He’s disappointed to miss time but is eager to correct the issue and move forward. We know he will be aggressive with his rehab and work to return as soon as possible.”John Mateer has been one of the top quarterbacks in the country this season. According to FanDuel, he had the second-best odds for the Heisman Trophy behind Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza before the injury news. He ranked second in the nation with 351.3 yards of total offence per game and had scored both passing and rushing touchdowns in each of his last ten games, stretching back to his time at Washington State.

Michael Hawkins Jr. named Oklahoma’s starter while Mateer recovers

With John Mateer sidelined, Oklahoma will start sophomore quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. against Kent State on Saturday, October 4, 2025. The Sooners have a bye week before that game and will face Texas on October 11.Coach Venables said, “We have all the confidence in the world in Michael and are excited for his opportunity to lead our offence while John recovers. He had big moments last season as a true freshman and has just gotten better and better.”Also Read: Travis Hunter’s father confesses what no one knew before son joined Deion Sanders at Jackson State Michael Hawkins, from Dallas, Texas, was a three-star recruit in the 2024 class, ranked by 247Sports. Last season, he played in seven games and finished with 783 passing yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also ran 69 times for 204 yards and one touchdown. He started three games in 2024 after Venables benched quarterback Jackson Arnold.