OU quarterback John Mateer on what he has seen so far during spring practice

"It's been going good, in my opinion. I think the competition of the defense and the camaraderie of the offense, we're coming along pretty well. I already know the offense, but I'm really proud of these guys that don't know it or didn't know it. They're really picking it up. Coach Robbo is doing a really good job with the culture that we need on the offense, and it's been good."

How much does that help you knowing the offense and being able to teach it

"It helps a lot. Maybe in my third year in this offense, there's things that the quarterback can do to really enhance it and see someone on defense change it to what I need to do. And that's good. First year, quarterback is tough. When I first learned it, I didn't know all the gadgets that we have and saw Cam do it. And then I got to do it last year and do it again this year. So that helps. And then teaching everybody, I know how it's supposed to look. And then there's film on how it's supposed to look. And I know exactly what game to go to to show a receiver what it's supposed to look like."

"Yeah, they do a lot of different stuff. A lot of very good stuff that's challenged me and makes me and the O-line and the center communicate a lot. It's a lot of fun. Playing against good football is fun football. If you're just beating somebody every day, it's fun, but it gets a little tiring. We're doing good, but they're also doing good. So it's back and forth, and it's been fun and competitive, and I enjoy it."

"Yeah, I mean, just we got some freak athletes on this defense, from the interior to the DBs. Everybody on the field is very good, very talented. And so we can't make mistakes, and I can't miss. If I miss a throw, it's going the other way, which is good and it's fun. It builds confidence in me, like knowing this is good defense and a very smart head coach/DC, you know, calling good plays and doing a lot of good stuff, and it's a lot of fun."

Things that take longer for guys getting into the new offensive system

"A lot of just a lot of the reps, you know, there's a lot of routes in this offense and a lot of routes that the receivers can do different things based on a defense, you know. In a lot of offenses, it's that way, but this one too. So getting those live reps is so important. That's why spring ball is so important at fall camp. 45 practices from started spring ball to end of fall camp. Know, within those 45, you help, it helps. And then that's why you have non-conference games at the beginning, but it's not going to be perfect right now. And in the summer, we'll get the live looks doing seven-on-seven stuff, and it's going to be good. But those choice routes, option routes, that's what it takes."

"It's been great. I've been trying to settle in since January 13th when I got here, right? But everybody's brought me in and given me confidence. And I've built relationships with these guys because they're willing to bring me in. And then just bringing the offense in. It's not easy. Like, first day, everybody's running around full speed. Everybody has adrenaline. And now, six practices in, everybody's having fun and playing full speed. And we'd rather have them play at full speed right now and make a mistake than go half speed and try to do it right. That's something we're still trying to do. And then we'll watch the film. That's what the film's for. It's been fun. We've all been doing a good job."

"It's been good. I mean, obviously handing the ball off is, you could say it's universally the same, but every running back is a little different. And learning them and learning what Coach Murray likes and implementing it into our offense so we can all run the ball. I don't know if you watched my film, but I like to run the ball too. But just doing that with them and working with them, building a relationship with them is very important because they've got to protect me too, so I want them to like me. I mean, I think they've all been doing real good. I mean, obviously, Jaron moves over, and that's not an easy switch. And we have transfers going through the same thing I'm going through. Just building relationships is a lot coming at us at once. But everybody's doing a good job. I really think the coach is doing a good job getting them right and teaching them how it should be. Tight end's not an easy position. You got to block, you got to run, you got to know who to block. I can't play it. But it's good. They're doing a good job. They're catching the ball well. It's just getting more reps."

What stands out about Coach Venables actual presence on the practice field these last couple of weeks?

"Yeah, like intensity. And he's very smart. He knows exactly how he's got to be against every look, against every motion, and he's very smart. Right? So sometimes he'll stand right next to me, and I'm like, dude, I need some room. Like, mind games? No, no, no. He's just like, doesn't even realize. He's looking at the defense, and I'm like right there. I'm like, dude, come on. No, but it's fun. I talk a little smack to him, and he's got his own den. He doesn't even say it back. It's fun."