John Mateer has rapidly become a prominent figure in college football, particularly recognized for his dynamic performances as the quarterback for the Washington State Cougars. His journey from a redshirt freshman to team captain and award finalist showcases a remarkable blend of talent, dedication, and leadership. This article delves into the key highlights of Mateer’s career, emphasizing his pivotal 2024 season and overall trajectory.
In his RS-Sophomore year (2024), Mateer’s impact was undeniable. Named team captain, he also garnered significant national attention as a Manning Award Finalist and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Semifinalist. His name appeared on the watch lists for the Davey O’Brien Award, Manning Award, and Maxwell Award, setting high expectations from the season’s outset. The Pac-12 Conference acknowledged his offensive prowess, repeatedly naming him a Top Performer. Starting in all 12 games, Mateer demonstrated exceptional dual-threat capabilities. He completed 224 of 347 passes (64.6%) for an impressive 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns, while also contributing significantly on the ground with 178 rushes for 826 yards and 15 touchdowns. His versatility made him responsible for a national-leading 44 touchdowns during the regular season and accumulating 3,965 yards in total offense.
Mateer’s resilience was evident in leading three fourth-quarter comeback victories, showcasing his composure under pressure. Statistically, he broke Washington State University (WSU) single-season records for quarterback rush attempts, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns, marking him as only the second player overall for rushing touchdowns in a season. He achieved two 100-yard rushing games, notably against Texas Tech (197 yards) and San Jose State (111 yards), and impressively scored both rushing and passing touchdowns in 10 games. Uniquely, he was the only quarterback nationwide to surpass 20 touchdown passes and 10 rushing touchdowns in the season, underscoring his balanced offensive threat. His explosiveness was further highlighted by 38 carries of 10+ yards and 11 of 20+ yards, along with forcing 55 missed tackles.
Throughout the 2024 season, John Mateer consistently earned accolades. He received honorable mention as the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award National Player of the Week for players with Texas ties, and was named to the Davey O’Brien Award Great 8 three times. The Manning Award recognized him as a Star of the Week, and WSU honored him as Offensive Player of the Week multiple times. His debut game set a high bar, throwing for 352 yards and five touchdowns, and rushing for a 40-yard touchdown, totaling six touchdowns responsible for – a record for a Cougar quarterback in their first start. Against Texas Tech, he set a WSU quarterback rushing record with 197 yards. In a critical Apple Cup victory over Washington, Mateer contributed both rushing and passing touchdowns. His performance against San Jose State was historic, throwing for 390 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 111 yards and a touchdown, making him the first Cougar quarterback with 300+ passing and 100+ rushing yards in a game. Further highlights included 327 passing yards against Boise State, and an efficient 295 yards with three touchdowns against Hawaii, achieving an 85% completion rate, the fourth-best in WSU history. Before transferring ahead of the Holiday Bowl, Mateer was also recognized for his academic achievements, named CSC Academic All-District.
Earlier in his career, during his RS-Freshman year (2023), John Mateer played in all 12 games as a reserve, gaining valuable experience. He completed 13 of 17 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns, also rushing for 61 yards and three touchdowns. Even as a Freshman in 2022, despite limited game time, he showcased potential with a touchdown pass and a 37-yard run in his debut against Stanford.
Prior to college, Mateer was a standout four-year starter at Little Elm High School. He set school records for passing yards as a Junior and Senior, earning District 5-6A Offensive Player of the Year in his senior year. Rated as a three-star prospect, his combined high school stats include 7,060 passing yards, 66 passing touchdowns, 1,223 rushing yards, and 22 rushing touchdowns.
John Mateer’s football journey is underpinned by a supportive family, including his parents Stephen and Judy, and sister McKayla. With his consistent performance and record-breaking 2024 season, John Mateer has solidified his position as a quarterback to watch, embodying the qualities of a leader and a dynamic player on and off the field. His future in football holds considerable promise, built on a foundation of remarkable achievements at Washington State.
