Sometimes, a change of scenery is all it really takes. Whether it’s to find a new role or to compete for bigger trophies, a new home can provide that opportunity. That has proven true at Oklahoma for John Mateer and Isaiah Sategna III, two transfers who have helped guide the Sooners to the No. 8 seed in the College Football Playoff.
After three seasons at Washington State, Mateer made the jump to the SEC, stepping into one of college football’s most demanding environments. The quarterback quickly became the centerpiece of Oklahoma’s offense, leading the Sooners to a 10–2 record and a spot in the expanded playoff field.
Now, he’s preparing for one of the biggest games of his career, but the foe is familiar.
Ninth seeded Alabama will make the trip to Norman for a playoff matchup that carries plenty of weight. The two teams already met earlier this season, when Mateer led Oklahoma to a statement win in Tuscaloosa, handing the Crimson Tide a rare home loss, 23-21.
For Mateer, the moment reflects a journey years in the making.
“This is a dream come true,” Mateer said. “I prayed for this opportunity. I hoped for it, I worked for it, and I’m glad it’s here. I’m not going to take it for granted.”
That mindset has helped Mateer navigate both the pressure of leading Oklahoma and all of the eyes that fall on him in high-stake games. After a difficult outing earlier in the year, he was blunt about the standard he holds himself to.
“When your quarterback doesn’t play good football, it’s hard to win in this league,” Mateer said. “There’s no excuse.”
Lining up on the outside for many of those key moments has been Sategna, another transfer who found his footing in Norman after beginning his career at Arkansas. The former four-star wide receiver recorded 54 receptions in three seasons as a Razorback. In just one year as a Sooner, he’s snagged a career-high 65.
Known for his speed and versatility, Sategna has become a reliable target in the passing game and a weapon on special teams. More importantly, he believes Oklahoma is built for the playoff stage.
“We’re not done here,” Sategna said when discussing Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff. “We’ve got a special team. We’re gonna go really far.”
That confidence extends to his quarterback. Sategna has repeatedly pointed to Mateer’s poise late in games as a difference-maker. It’s a trait that could loom large against Alabama.
“The fourth quarter,” Sategna said, “that’s when I feel like he really comes alive.”
Together, Mateer and Sategna represent what Oklahoma hoped to find in the transfer portal. As the Sooners prepare for another clash against a now heated rival in Alabama, with their season on the line, those traits will once again be tested.
