SEC Insider’s Strong John Mateer Verdict Confirms Oklahoma Crisis as Paul Finebaum Sounds Alarm on Brent Venables
As the Oklahoma Sooners continue to navigate their transition under Brent Venables, an alarming new verdict has surfaced from SEC insider sources, and it’s raising serious concerns about the future of the program. Oklahoma’s quarterback of the future, John Mateer, is still being hailed as one of the top rising stars, but whispers surrounding the Sooners’ program are growing louder—specifically regarding the current state of affairs under Venables.
In a recent analysis, Paul Finebaum, one of college football’s most prominent voices, didn’t mince words as he sounded the alarm about Brent Venables’ tenure and the direction in which the Sooners’ program is headed. With Mateer primed to be the face of the program in 2025 and beyond, the crisis seems to be deepening, raising a multitude of questions about Oklahoma’s future both in the Big 12 and on the national stage.
The SEC Insider’s Verdict on John Mateer
John Mateer, an immensely talented quarterback who has drawn comparisons to some of the most successful Oklahoma QBs in recent history, is one of the few bright spots for the Sooners. His skill set, combined with a natural football IQ and elite arm strength, makes him a top prospect for the future. But, as the SEC insider puts it, Oklahoma’s ability to surround Mateer with the right environment and support system is now being called into question.
SEC insiders have given Mateer high marks for his potential but have raised concerns about the culture and system at Oklahoma under Venables. The verdict was clear: While Mateer may be one of the most promising quarterbacks in the country, he’s walking into a situation where the Sooners’ program is currently in disarray. With Venables struggling to find success early in his tenure, Oklahoma’s future is clouded, despite the individual brilliance that Mateer has to offer.
For Mateer to succeed at the highest level, Oklahoma’s leadership and coaching staff need to stabilize the program. The problem, according to SEC insiders, is that this stability is nowhere to be found. Venables’ defensive philosophy, while historically successful at Clemson, has yet to produce tangible results at Oklahoma, leaving the team vulnerable in crucial areas like defensive consistency, recruiting, and even overall team identity.
The Paul Finebaum Alarm on Brent Venables
Paul Finebaum, a long-time SEC analyst and respected commentator on college football, has expressed growing concerns over Brent Venables’ leadership of the Oklahoma Sooners. While Venables came to Oklahoma with a strong pedigree from Clemson, where he helped lead the Tigers to multiple national championships, his tenure in Norman has been less than stellar.
Finebaum recently noted that Venables’ ability to return Oklahoma to national prominence remains in question, stating:
“Brent Venables is a great defensive mind, but there’s no denying that this team under his guidance has underperformed. Oklahoma was supposed to be one of the top teams in the Big 12 year after year, yet they’ve fallen short time and time again. At what point do we start questioning if Venables is the right man for the job?”
Finebaum’s concern is not just rooted in the Sooners’ struggles on defense but also their inability to remain competitive with the top teams in the Big 12 and the national college football landscape. After a subpar 6-7 record in 2022, Oklahoma appeared to be on the rise last season but still failed to meet expectations. Venables’ defense—historically his calling card—has had difficulty stopping big plays and getting off the field in critical situations, and despite recruiting highly-ranked players, Oklahoma has not seen the results many fans were hoping for.
For Finebaum, this isn’t just a matter of one bad season; it’s a growing pattern of inconsistency that has led to Oklahoma’s decline on the national stage. And while John Mateer’s arrival as the next great quarterback brings hope, Finebaum argues that without major adjustments in Venables’ approach, Oklahoma’s crisis could extend far beyond the defense.
Oklahoma’s Crisis: Recruiting and Team Identity
For Oklahoma to reach its full potential, both offensively and defensively, the program needs an overhaul in a few key areas. While John Mateer may be the future of the Sooners’ offense, Brent Venables has yet to solve key issues that are holding back the entire team.
1. Recruiting and Player Development
Recruiting has been one of the biggest advantages that Oklahoma has enjoyed over the years, but it has been a mixed bag under Venables. Oklahoma has had trouble securing elite defensive recruits who can immediately make an impact, especially in the trenches. The defensive line, once a key strength of the program, has struggled to create pressure on opposing quarterbacks, and the secondary has been inconsistent at best. Venables’ inability to develop the defensive line into a dominant force has become a glaring weakness for Oklahoma.
In the meantime, Oklahoma’s offense has been propelled by quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts, Kyler Murray, and Baker Mayfield, but in the post-Lincoln Riley era, it’s unclear if the Sooners can maintain their offensive prowess without a clear leader. Mateer could be the player to bring them back to relevance, but if he isn’t surrounded by top-tier talent, his development could stall just as his predecessors’ success did.
2. Defensive Identity and System
Venables built his career at Clemson as a mastermind of a hard-nosed, aggressive defense. However, since taking over at Oklahoma, that same defensive prowess has not translated to success on the field. Defensive inconsistency has been one of the most glaring issues under Venables’ watch. Opposing teams have been able to exploit weaknesses in both the defensive front and secondary, and Oklahoma’s inability to make key stops at critical moments has cost them in big games.
Finebaum echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of Venables creating a more aggressive, disciplined defense that aligns with the expectations set when he was hired. If the Sooners can’t get their defense in shape, it will be difficult for them to compete with the top-tier programs in the Big 12 and beyond.
3. Coaching Philosophy and Adaptability
Venables’ defense is often praised for its complexity and aggressive nature, but the system has struggled to adapt to the modern college football landscape, which is increasingly dominated by high-powered offenses. Venables’ inability to adjust and find answers against the best offensive units has drawn scrutiny. The system needs to evolve if Oklahoma is to regain its status as a top contender on the national level.
The Future: Can Venables and Mateer Turn It Around?
Looking ahead, the Oklahoma Sooners’ crisis remains a pressing issue. John Mateer, with his elite talent and potential, is seen as the future of the program. If Oklahoma can develop him into the next elite quarterback, they may be able to restore some semblance of championship contention. However, the real question remains whether Brent Venables can build a team around Mateer that can compete with the elite programs in college football.