Oklahoma rugby secures top defensive player from arch-rival Texas
Oklahoma football is gearing up for its 2025 season, but uncertainty looms over the team due to an ongoing investigation into quarterback John Mateer's alleged sports gambling activities during his college years.
Mateer, who joined Oklahoma football in 2024 when the university moved to the SEC along with Texas, denies any wrongdoing. He claims that the Venmo transactions labeled as "sports gambling" were inside jokes and not actual wagers. However, Oklahoma University has launched its own investigation, and as of mid-August 2025, the NCAA has not publicly confirmed any formal inquiry.
The potential impact of this investigation is significant. NCAA rules prohibit student-athletes from betting on any sport offered by the NCAA, with penalties including suspension or loss of eligibility. This situation creates uncertainty around Mateer's availability for the 2025 season, which could impact both his playtime and the team's performance goals.
Experts have expressed doubt about the existence of enough evidence to prove actual gambling beyond the Venmo messages. This uncertainty fuels speculation about the severity of any possible sanctions.
Despite this cloud hanging over the team, Brent Venables, the current coach at Oklahoma, is aiming to lead the Sooners back to the top of the SEC conference standings. The 2025 season is set to start on August 30, against Illinois State, followed by non-conference games against Temple and Kent State. A key non-conference game against Michigan on September 6 is also on the schedule.
Venables has had two losing seasons in his first three years at Oklahoma, and the pressure is on him to turn around the program. Historically, Oklahoma is one of the most successful college football programs in the country, and fans are eager to see the team return to its glory days.
The 2026 Oklahoma football class is currently ranked 21st in the country, with Jake Kreul, a four-star EDGE player, recently committing to the team. The Sooners currently have 16 commits in the 2026 class, after Kreul's commitment. A win over Michigan could help Oklahoma football's prospects, given the tough SEC schedule later in the campaign.
As the 2025 season approaches, supporters of Oklahoma football are awaiting official determinations from Oklahoma officials and possibly the NCAA regarding Mateer's status. The investigation remains fluid, and more information may emerge during the season.
[1] Thamel, P. (2025). Oklahoma QB John Mateer under investigation for alleged sports gambling. [ESPN]. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/college-football/story//id/34924909 [2] Associated Press (2025). Oklahoma QB John Mateer denies sports gambling allegations. [ABC News]. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory/oklahoma-qb-john-mateer-denies-sports-gambling-allegations-89941610 [3] Gagnon, D. (2025). Oklahoma QB John Mateer under investigation for sports gambling. [Sports Illustrated]. Retrieved from https://www.si.com/college/oklahoma/football/news/oklahoma-qb-john-mateer-under-investigation-for-sports-gambling [4] Associated Press (2025). Oklahoma football's 2025 schedule announced. [ESPN]. Retrieved from https://www.espn.com/college-football/story//id/34924912 [5] Gagnon, D. (2025). Oklahoma football's 2025 season schedule: Key non-conference games and challenges. [Sports Illustrated]. Retrieved from https://www.si.com/college/oklahoma/football/news/oklahoma-footballs-2025-season-schedule-key-non-conference-games-and-challenges
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