The countdown to college football’s return is officially underway—and for the Oklahoma Sooners, that means one thing: SEC Media Days.
As the eyes of the football world shift to Atlanta, the Sooners have revealed the stars who will represent the Crimson and Cream at this year’s prestigious event. Quarterback John Mateer, defensive end R Mason Thomas, and safety Robert Spears-Jennings will join head coach Brent Venables on Day 3 of the four-day affair, taking place July 14–17 at the Omni Hotel in downtown Atlanta.
The Sooners are set to appear on Wednesday, July 16, alongside heavyweights Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi State. Venables is scheduled to hit the podium at 1:45 p.m. CT, with the players handling media appearances throughout the afternoon.
This marks OU’s second appearance at SEC Media Days—but the first time as official members of the Southeastern Conference. Last year, the event was hosted in Dallas as a welcome platform for both Oklahoma and Texas ahead of their historic move. That year, the Sooners sent Jackson Arnold, Billy Bowman Jr., and Danny Stutsman to speak on behalf of the team. Ironically, none of those three remain with the program—Bowman and Stutsman have since taken their talents to the NFL, while Arnold transferred.
This year’s lineup feels different—more grounded, more battle-tested. John Mateer, expected to lead the Sooners’ offense this fall, steps into the spotlight with poise and a reputation for quiet confidence. Meanwhile, R Mason Thomas brings a relentless motor off the edge, and Robert Spears-Jennings has emerged as a vocal leader in the secondary, both on and off the field.
For Coach Venables, it’s a chance to introduce a new wave of Sooners to the SEC masses—a calculated decision that signals where this team is heading.
“These are guys who represent everything we want this program to stand for,” Venables said. “Toughness, discipline, leadership—those traits matter more than hype.”
The selection of these three players suggests Venables is betting big on homegrown leadership and player development heading into their debut SEC campaign.
Media Days isn’t just about soundbites—it’s a tone-setter. For a program entering a new chapter in the most competitive conference in college football, Oklahoma is sending a clear message: The Sooners are ready, reloaded, and unafraid of the spotlight.
And come July 16, the whole country will be watching.
