It was January of 2022, just before [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag]’ first national signing day as Oklahoma’s head coach. The Sooners’ staff scrambled to recover the remnants of a 2022 recruiting class that had fallen apart in the wake of [autotag]Lincoln Riley[/autotag]’s departure.
When the dust settled, the Sooners came away with the No. 8 recruiting class in the country, according to 247Sports. The group included key homegrown defensive backs like [autotag]Robert Spears-Jennings[/autotag] and Gentry Williams, a trio of linebackers that have become integral for the Sooners defense, and offensive linemen like Joshua Bates and Jacob Sexton, who were key in yesterday’s win over Tulane.
One of the more intriguing additions to that class was initially headed to Iowa State to play for Matt Campbell. But Miguel Chavis and Brent Venables worked their magic and flipped a talented, fast, and athletic edge rusher to come to Norman.
That was [autotag]R Mason Thomas[/autotag].
Thomas played sparingly in his first two seasons with the Sooners, battling injuries that kept his developmental trajectory from taking off. But the Sooners coaching staff knew what they had him.
And on Saturday against Tulane, the potential that we’d seen over the last two seasons may have fully realized itself.
After an interception by Billy Bowman gave the Sooners great field position, Jackson Arnold ran it in from 24 yards out to give the Sooners a 12 point lead with 6:05 remaining in the game. Plenty of time for the Tulane offense to put together a late push.
But on the Green Wave’s ensuing drive, R Mason Thomas took over.
On first and 10, R Mason burst off the left edge of the defense and brought down Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah for his first sack of the game. Two plays later, the Green Wave were attempting to set up a wide receiver screen to create a more manageable fourth down attempt. Thomas felt the screen being set up and when Mensah went to throw, Thomas jumped up to knock down the pass, setting up a 4th and 13. On the next play, he came off the right side of the defense, first working upfield before countering the offensive tackle and beating him inside for his second sack of the day.
That forced the turnover on downs and Oklahoma kicked a field goal. Down 15 and needing to throw, the Sooners’ pass rusher kept the heat on.
Tulane picked up a first down. But Adepoju Adebawore drew a pivotal holding call to make it first and 20 with 1:53 remaining. Feeling the pressure, Mensah scrambled and picked up six yards. And on the next play, R Mason Thomas moved back to the left side, beat his man and hit Mensah, forcing the fumble and had the awareness to scoop the ball up and begin to take it the other way.
Social media exploded with Thomas’ breakout performance.
It was a monster way to finish the day for a guy who had been getting pressure for much of the game. Big players come through in big moments, and R Mason Thomas was unblockable in the final stages of the game.
Pro Football Focus credited him with five total pressures and the highest grade for any Sooners defender. His strip-sack also ensured that the Sooners won the turnover battle for the third game in a row, but more importantly, sealed the deal for Oklahoma.
It has to be a huge confidence boost for Mason and the Sooners are going to need more from him as SEC play begins. Oklahoma will get Tennessee’s explosive offense next week and getting pressure on former five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava will be paramount.
Could this be the breakout game the Sooners needed to unlock their pass rush moving forward? R Mason Thomas and the Sooners defensive line faces their toughest test of the season next Saturday night.
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