Thanks to a viral social media post, many Oklahoma fans believe quarterback John Mateer is opting out of the College Football Playoff.
Is John Mateer Opting Out of the College Football Playoff?
Breaking: Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has announced he will not play in the College Football Playoff, choosing instead to sit out and begin full preparation for the NFL Draft.
Mateer called the decision “the right move for my future” and will immediately start training for… pic.twitter.com/WcpxzS4TI8
— 274 Sport (@274sport) December 10, 2025
Don’t believe everything you see on the internet.
274 Sport, a parody account on X, posted that Mateer would be opting out for Oklahoma’s game against Alabama in the College Football Playoff. The 274 Sport looks like a real post, with a graphic to match the announcement.
“Breaking: Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has announced he will not play in the College Football Playoff, choosing instead to sit out and begin full preparation for the NFL Draft,” the post reads. “Mateer called the decision ‘the right move for my future’ and will immediately start training for the pre-draft process. (Via @PeteNokos_)”
If you click on 274 Sport, it states “parody account” in the bio. However, many X users believed the post to be accurate and vented their frustration in the comments.
“What a weak move,” Howdy Doan wrote.
“Wow!! Just Wow. So kids aren’t even gonna play in the playoffs now. Seems like there may be some NIL money that would need to be returned,” user @NewsAce75703 said.
Ken Zip wrote, “I used to like and respect him but by putting his selfish desires ahead of his teammates that will never be NFL Millionaires is unforgivable! What a PoS!”
Luckily for Sooner fans, the post is false. Mateer is set to suit up for the Sooners for their playoff game against the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Oklahoma’s Chances in the CFP
WE'RE IN 📍 pic.twitter.com/fwQC3ILAyQ
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) December 7, 2025
For the first time since 2019, Oklahoma has qualified for the College Football Playoff.
This marks Coach Brent Venables’ first trip with the Sooners to the playoffs.
The Sooners jumped out to a 5-0 start thanks to Mateer, who transferred in from Washington State.
Mateer looked like an early Heisman candidate, with 1,215 yards and 11 total touchdowns after four games.
Following the win over Auburn to move to 4-0, Venables announced that Mateer needed surgery on his injured throwing hand.
Mateer missed the Oct. 4 game against Kent State.
Mateer returned for the Red River Rivalry, but he threw three interceptions in the 23-6 loss to Texas. Two weeks later, Mateer and Oklahoma dropped a home game to Ole Miss to fall to 6-2.
With no margin for error, Oklahoma ran the table the rest of the way, winning four straight games to close the season.
The Sooners registered one of the most impressive wins of the season when they went into Tuscaloosa and beat Alabama 23–21.
For Oklahoma to beat Alabama for the second time this season, the Sooners’ offense must drastically improve. The offense scored 34 points combined in their last two games of the season.
No. 8 Oklahoma hosts No. 9 Alabama on Dec. 19. The game kicks off at 8 p.m. on ABC and ESPN.
