OU Football: Brent Venables Excited About QB John Mateer Joining the Team
The Oklahoma Sooners are gearing up to face off against the Navy Midshipmen in the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday, December 27, 2024, at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. Ahead of the big game, OU football coach Brent Venables and Navy coach Brian Newberry participated in a pregame press conference on Thursday.
Five Key Takeaways from the Press Conference
Here are the top five takeaways from the press conference:
Opt-outs and Availability: Coach Venables announced that the Sooners will have 56 scholarship players available for the game, with only two players, linebacker Danny Stutsman and safety Billy Bowman, opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft. Although they won’t be playing, both Stutsman and Bowman have remained with the team and are on the trip.
Injuries and Transfers: In addition to the opt-outs, several players are not participating due to injuries or having entered the transfer portal. Coach Venables acknowledged that the team’s current roster is different from what they started with at the beginning of the season.
R Mason Thomas’ Return: Defensive end R Mason Thomas will be available for the game, and it was recently announced that he will be returning for next season. Although the post was initially deleted, Coach Venables confirmed that Thomas will be back with the team.
Deion Burks’ Status: The status of wide receiver Deion Burks remains uncertain, as he has been dealing with an injury that has kept him out of all but one of the last eight games. Coach Venables praised Burks as a “fantastic player” with a “dynamic skillset,” but did not provide an update on his availability for the game.
Incoming Offensive Coordinator: Ben Arbuckle has been working with the quarterbacks during bowl prep and will serve as the quarterbacks coach for the game. Joe Jon Finley will remain the playcaller, following the departure of interim quarterbacks coach Kevin Johns to Oklahoma State’s staff.
Brent Venables on John Mateer
When asked about the team’s newest addition, Washington State quarterback John Mateer, Coach Venables chose to keep the focus on the upcoming game. He expressed his excitement about Mateer joining the team, stating that he will “make us better.” However, he preferred not to delve into details, instead emphasizing the importance of the Armed Forces Bowl.
The Sooners are looking to end their season on a high note, and with 56 scholarship players available, they are ready to take on the Midshipmen. Coach Venables’ enthusiasm about John Mateer’s addition to the team is a promising sign for the future, and fans will be eager to see how the new quarterback will contribute to the team’s success. As the team prepares to face off against Navy, one thing is certain – the Armed Forces Bowl will be an exciting matchup to watch.
