Podcast Summary: The McShay Show – "Scouting John Mateer: Oklahoma’s New QB Is a Talented Agent of Chaos"
Episode Details:
- Title: Scouting John Mateer: Oklahoma’s New QB Is a Talented Agent of Chaos
- Release Date: June 16, 2025
- Hosts: Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr.
- Podcast: The McShay Show by The Ringer
Introduction
In this episode of The McShay Show, longtime NFL Draft and College Football Analyst Todd McShay teams up with renowned analyst Mel Kiper Jr. to delve deep into the performance and potential of John Mateer, Oklahoma’s newly transferred quarterback from Washington State. The discussion navigates through Mateer’s on-field prowess, technical challenges, and his prospects as a first-round NFL draft pick.
Player Background and Transfer Details (06:26 - 07:26)
Todd McShay begins by providing a comprehensive background of John Mateer:
- Transfer Information: Mateer transferred from Washington State to Oklahoma, bringing along his offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, aged 29.
- College Career at Washington State:
- Duration: Three years
- Starting Games: One year starter, capped with 12 starts in the past season.
- Performance Stats: Completed 65% of his passes for 3,139 yards, 29 touchdowns, and only seven interceptions. Additionally, he rushed for 826 yards and scored 15 touchdowns.
Quote:
“[00:24: Todd McShay] ...studying Oklahoma quarterback John Mattier. Who's got it better than us? [Mel Kiper Jr.:] Nobody.”
Scouting Overview and Analytical Framework (07:26 - 10:08)
Todd McShay outlines his analytical framework for evaluating Mateer, focusing on four key quarterback traits:
- Mental Makeup (Grade: 3)
- Accuracy (Grade: 3)
- Arm Strength/Release (Grade: 2)
- Pocket Mobility (Grade: 1.5)
He compares his grading system to golf scores, where a lower number indicates better performance.
Quote:
“[09:39: Todd McShay] ...for John Matier, mental makeup. What Was your grade? 1 through 5?"
“[09:42: Mel Kiper Jr.] 3.”
Performance Analysis and Key Attributes (10:08 - 25:40)
Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. engage in a detailed analysis of Mateer’s gameplay, highlighting both strengths and areas needing improvement:
- Arm Strength and Mechanics:
- Mateer exhibits impressive torque and arm strength, capable of making unconventional throws (“trick shots”).
- Inconsistencies in his throwing mechanics, especially when under pressure or off-balance, are noted.
Quote:
“[12:07: Mel Kiper Jr.] ...there is no throw he can't make. He makes throws where you think you have him, you have him dead to rights. He's off his spot.”
- Pocket Mobility and Running Threat:
- Highly mobile quarterback with the ability to extend plays, yet sometimes oversteps, leading to missed opportunities.
- Demonstrated exceptional running ability, making him a dual-threat on the field.
Quote:
“[10:08: Mel Kiper Jr.] ...he's a guy that can hurt you with his legs. He can get in the red zone. He can make plays with his feet in the red zone.”
- Mental Makeup and Competitiveness:
- Mateer is described as "tough as nails" and "an unbelievably competitive" player who thrives in high-pressure, chaotic environments.
- Shows flashes of brilliance in reading defenses and making strategic decisions.
Quote:
“[24:25: Mel Kiper Jr.] ...there are some encouraging stuff about how he reads the way defenders are... he understands he's got the steam route down the middle to the running back.”
Challenges and Areas for Improvement (25:40 - 35:25)
The discussion shifts to Mateer’s technical shortcomings and the implications for his future career:
- Footwork and Mechanics:
- Persistent issues with his footwork, leading to inconsistent throws and mechanical inefficiencies.
- Examples include improper weight transfer and suboptimal throwing angles, reminiscent of quarterbacks from the "Air Raid" offenses.
Quote:
“[18:56: Mel Kiper Jr.] ...he hasn't learned that yet. There are times where his hips are... if I had tried to make that throw, I would have blown out every ligament.”
- Consistency and Trustworthiness:
- While Mateer has shown significant improvement over the season, concerns remain about his ability to perform consistently against higher competition levels.
- The key question is whether Mateer can "bottle up the magic" while reducing the self-generated chaos in his game.
Quote:
“[41:08: Todd McShay] ...Matier's biggest challenge is to bottle up all of that magic that I just saw on tape while dialing down the turbulence.”
Impact of Coaching and Future Prospects (35:25 - 42:43)
Todd McShay evaluates the role of Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, in Mateer’s development:
- Coaching Influence:
- Arbuckle’s previous success with limited talent suggests a promising offensive system for Oklahoma.
- However, there’s an ongoing debate about whether coaching will focus on winning games versus refining Mateer's mechanics for NFL readiness.
Quote:
“[40:27: Todd McShay] ...we know what he can do in that. I'd like to see him in this, but we're not going to. And that's fine too.”
- Schedule and Competition:
- Oklahoma’s rigorous schedule, including matchups against top-tier programs like Michigan, Texas, and Alabama, presents both challenges and opportunities for Mateer to showcase his skills against elite competition.
Quote:
“[27:07: Mel Kiper Jr.] ...you got Michigan rolling into town week two. You got the Red River Shootout with Texas... that schedule's legit.”
Conclusion and Final Assessment (42:43 - End)
Wrapping up the episode, Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. offer their final thoughts on John Mateer’s potential:
- Draft Prospects:
- Both analysts agree that Mateer has the talent to be a targeted first-round pick, potentially within the top 15 selections.
- However, his success in the NFL will heavily depend on his ability to harness his strengths while mitigating his mechanical flaws.
Quote:
“[46:16: Mel Kiper Jr.] I'm comfortable with that.”
- Development Path:
- Emphasis on the upcoming offseason for Mateer to focus on drilling his footwork and refining his mechanics.
- The transition to Oklahoma’s system is seen as a critical period for Mateer’s growth and readiness for professional play.
Quote:
“[43:44: Mel Kiper Jr.] ...if this kid learns to reset his feet and throw with his base when he can, your arm strength rating could go up.”
Final Takeaway: John Mateer emerges as a highly talented quarterback with undeniable physical gifts and competitive drive. While his "agent of chaos" playing style presents challenges, his ability to make spectacular plays and his growth trajectory suggest a promising future if he can streamline his mechanics and maintain consistency against tougher competition.
Upcoming Episodes & Topics:
- Next Week: Analysis of Sam Levitt from Arizona State.
- Future Topics: Breakdown of top defensive prospects, Clemson’s quarterback situation, and a mailbag segment addressing audience questions on the rookie class and more.
Join Todd and the team every Tuesday and Thursday, and don’t miss their Saturday game day reaction shows! Subscribe to The McShay Report for detailed mock drafts and exclusive draft access.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- [00:24] Todd McShay: "studying Oklahoma quarterback John Mattier. Who's got it better than us?"
- [09:39] Todd McShay: "for John Matier, mental makeup. What Was your grade? 1 through 5?"
- [24:25] Mel Kiper Jr.: "there are some encouraging stuff about how he reads the way defenders are..."
- [41:08] Todd McShay: "Matier's biggest challenge is to bottle up all of that magic that I just saw on tape while dialing down the turbulence."
- [46:16] Mel Kiper Jr.: "I'm comfortable with that."
Supporting Resources:
- Full 1st Round Coverage: Watch Live
- Subscribe to The McShay Report: mcshay-report.beehiiv.com/subscribe
- Follow the Show on YouTube and Spotify: Search for The McShay Show and hit subscribe/follow for updates.
Disclaimer: This summary is based on a provided transcript and aims to capture the essence of the discussions between Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. for informational purposes.