Bill Belichick and North Carolina made a late push for top quarterback prospect John Mateer, but ultimately lost out after Baker Mayfield’s involvement helped seal the deal. Mateer has committed to play for Oklahoma, where he will work with new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle. This move is significant for the Sooners, who struggled on offense in 2024. Miami was also a contender for Mateer, and Belichick had expressed interest in the player.
Mateer, a former Washington State star, led the Cougars to an 8-4 record last season, throwing for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns while rushing for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns. His commitment to Oklahoma is seen as a crucial one for new head coach Brent Venables, who was seeking to bolster the team’s struggling offense. The Sooners will look to make the most of Mateer’s arrival in the hopes of improving their performance on the field.
Source: https://www.on3.com/news/bill-belichick-unc-made-run-john-mateer-before-baker-mayfield-helped-seal-deal-transfer-portal