Oklahoma went from an offensive juggernaut under Lincoln Riley to having an imposing defense under Brent Venables. The shift in identity has had its ups and downs, but resulted in a College Football Playoff appearance in 2025. The Sooners’ defense carried them throughout SEC play. The biggest defensive star for Oklahoma over the past couple of seasons has been defensive end R Mason Thomas. Thomas is a hyper-athletic player off the edge, wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks. How does he stack up in a strong class for pass rushers, and how does his game translate to the next level?
Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman R Mason Thomas (32) brings down Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) for a safety during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the Auburn Tigers at Gaylord Family Ð Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday,Sept. 20, 2025. Oklahoma won 24-17.
2026 NFL Draft: R Mason Thomas Player Profile
Measurables
Height- 6-foot-2
Weight- 241 pounds
Background
Thomas was a four-star recruit coming out of Cardinal Gibbons (Florida) and the 22nd-ranked edge rusher in the Class of 2022. He committed to Oklahoma as a part of Venables’ first recruiting class. He saw the field as a rotational player as a true freshman, having seven tackles, a tackle for loss, and half a sack in 10 games. Thomas continued to see action as a rotational defensive end in 2023, appearing in nine games. As a sophomore, he forced nine tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss while also getting a sack.
After two seasons as a rotational piece, Thomas emerged as a premier edge rusher in 2024. He made 11 starts while appearing in all 13 games for the Sooners. He racked up 23 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and nine sacks, while also forcing two fumbles. Thomas opted to return to Norman for his final year of eligibility. While he missed three games due to injury, he still managed to put up 26 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, and forced another two fumbles in 2025.
Strengths
There may not be an edge rusher in this class with the speed of Thomas. His first step is explosive, allowing him to win early in the down. He also has excellent closing speed, which translates to impressive sack production. Thomas combines his elite speed with incredible bend, as he easily works around offensive tackles. He’s an athletic mismatch against most tackles and is a player who can consistently pressure the quarterback on dropbacks. Thomas also uses good hand technique to swipe away tackles as a pass rusher. He plays with a high motor, not giving up on plays and coming out of nowhere to get tackles or sacks. His run defense isn’t great, but he showed signs of improvement in 2025.
Weaknesses
While Thomas is an incredible athlete, the downside is his frame. His size and length are both very much on the lower end for an NFL edge rusher. His lack of length and frame limits his success on bull rushes and allows tackles to get their hands into his chest. Although Thomas improved as a run defender as a senior, he likely won’t develop into a great run defender at the next level. His tackling is another concern, posting a 17.9% PFF missed-tackle rate over four seasons. Durability is also a concern with Thomas, who has missed 10 games in his collegiate career due to injury.
Overview
Thomas is a prospect with defined strengths and weaknesses. He’s one of the best pure pass rushers in this class, having an elite combination of speed, bend, and athleticism. His smaller frame and tackling concerns limit his value on early downs, but he’s a great option on passing downs. Thomas is a player who can tee off on third-and-long and get after the quarterback. If he can stay healthy, his floor should be a quality rotational edge rusher. His game is similar to that of another former Sooner, Nik Bonitto. Bonitto has found plenty of success as a speed rusher who specializes as a pure pass rusher. Thomas projects as a second-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Patriots, Chiefs, and Buccaneers are ideal fits, with all of them looking to improve their pass rush.
Main Image: [Jerome Miron] – Imagn Images