Oklahoma released a statement regarding QB John Mateer and the alleged sports gambling controversy that came to light. The transfer quarterback’s Venmo account was allegedly screenshotted, showing transactions that signaled he was betting on college games.

Sooner Scoop previously reported that the school was aware of the alleged incident and was looking into it. Mateer made it clear to Oklahoma that he never gambled, per George Stoia.

“The allegations that I once participated in sports gambling are false,” Mateer said in a statement. “My previous Venmo descriptions did not accurately portray the transactions in question but were instead inside jokes between me and my friends.

“I have never bet on sports. I understand the seriousness of the matter, but recognize that, taken out of context, those Venmo descriptions suggest otherwise. I can assure my teammates, coaches, and officials at the NCAA that I have no engaged in any sports gambling.”

Mateer was a star at Washington State before he transferred to Norman. The addition promises a jolt to the Sooners’ offense.

Over the course his career with the Cougars, Mateer was a dual threat QB. He threw for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns, seven interceptions, a 64.6% completion percentage, 826 rushing yards and 15 rushing touchdowns in 2024.

Having swagger like Mateer’s isn’t an accident. He has been that good throughout his college career to this point, which even leads him to talking trash in practice and during games.

“I know from playing football, it gets people going a little bit,” Mateer told reporters after fall camp practice on Monday. “And that’s what you need on this field. Like, this (is) practice four, and it’s great, but come here soon it’s gonna be, ‘Damn, this practice is hot,’ this and that, so you can get everybody going a little bit more. And that comes from me.

“I’m the quarterback, I’m the leader, so I’ve got to do it. I love doing it — if you talk a little trash, you’ll get the best out of everybody.”

Mateer’s status as the leader of the team comes without him ever playing a down of football for the Sooners. The 2025 season will be Mateer’s first with the program alongside new Sooners offensive coordinator and QB coach Ben Arbuckle earlier this offseason. The two are expected to lead the offense to greater heights than what they saw in 2024.