Oklahoma quarterback John Mateer has declared himself at full strength following a hand injury that hampered his season last year. Mateer, who spoke at SEC media days, revealed the mental toll of the injury was "the hardest thing" he has faced but has now returned to his pre-injury throwing motion. He recently scored a 150 on a grip strength test, a significant improvement from the 90 post-surgery.

Mateer was an early Heisman Trophy favorite before breaking his throwing hand in a win against Auburn. His performance dipped, and Oklahoma went 2-2 in October. Despite the setback, the Sooners finished the season strong, reaching the College Football Playoff. Mateer is now focused on team success, particularly returning to the CFP, rather than individual accolades.

Oklahoma coach Brent Venables confirmed Mateer's previous struggles with velocity due to his hand and expressed confidence in the team's potential with a healthy quarterback. Offensive lineman Eddy Pierre-Louis also noted Mateer's toughness and resilience throughout his recovery, highlighting his determination and leadership.