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Washington State quarterback John Mateer entered the transfer portal on Monday and is widely considered the best player available at the time of his decision.

“John will be the most sought-after player in the portal. I think he’s gonna be the best player in the country next year. He informed us he is in fact going to hit the portal,” Washington State coach Jake Dickert said Monday.

Mateer led the FBS in total touchdowns (44) in his first season as a starter in 2024, compiling 3,139 yards with 29 touchdown passes and seven interceptions and rushing for 826 yards with 15 scores.

Mateer, who transfers with two years eligibility remaining, stepped into the starting spot when Cam Ward opted to transfer to Miami, where he became a Heisman Trophy finalist this season.

Washington State was the only Division I offer Mateer received coming out of Little Elm, Texas, but Ward said his talent was abundantly clear from the time he hit campus.

“I’m excited for him,” Ward said before the Heisman ceremony of Mateer. “He sat behind me for two years and me and John (were) just locked in, locked in for life. And I can just tell the biggest thing he got better at over the course of the season was staying in the pocket and winning from the pocket even more down the stretch. He’s accurate with the football. I think he’ll end up being one of the best quarterbacks in the country next year.”

–Field Level Media