A driving force in Washington State football’s 8-5 campaign in 2024 was the play of redshirt sophomore quarterback John Mateer.

Ahead of the 2025 season, Mateer was named by College Football Network as the #37 returning player in the nation in the outlet’s list of the top 100. In that list, Mateer was the #7 quarterback in FBS.

“John Mateer’s swashbuckling skills for the Washington State Cougars captured the public imagination last fall and turned him into something of a college football rockstar…The production was incredible and his leadership equally as impressive, but he’ll face increased scrutiny (and some better defenses) after following his offensive coordinator to Oklahoma.” — Oliver Hodgkinson, College Football Network

Mateer was one of the Cougars’ team captains in his lone season as the starter, and was named the Pac-12 Conference Offensive Top Performer. By the time he reached the end of the regular season, he led the country with 44 touchdowns responsible for. He had one of the most prolific rushing seasons in Washington State history, setting the mark for rushing yards by a quarterback (826) and rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (15), and the second-most rushing touchdowns by any player in WSU history. He was the only quarterback in the nation with more than 20 touchdown passes and more than 15 rushing touchdowns.

After the regular season, Mateer entered the transfer portal and followed offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle to the Oklahoma Sooners.

Mateer is expected to be succeeded at WSU by Zevi Eckhaus as Washington State’s starting quarterback in 2025. Eckhaus appeared in three games for WSU in 2024 after transferring in from FCS Bryant University. Eckhaus’ first start for WSU came in the Holiday Bowl loss to Syracuse, where he accounted for four touchdowns (3 passing, one rushing). He completed 31 passes on 43 attempts for 363 yards and two interceptions.

The Cougars begin spring practices on Saturday, March 1. Jimmy Rogers’ first spring game as the Cougars’ head coach is scheduled for Saturday, April 12.

More Reading Material From Washington State Cougars On SI