Stormin in Norman
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Five Oklahoma Football Sleepers to Watch for in 2016

By Chip Rouse

Sep 19, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Jarvis Baxter (1) runs for a touchdown after a reception while being pursued by Tulsa Golden Hurricane defensive end Derrick Alexander (54) during the third quarter at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Jarvis Baxter (1) runs for a touchdown after a reception while being pursued by Tulsa Golden Hurricane defensive end Derrick Alexander (54) during the third quarter at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners safety Ahmad Thomas (13) makes a diving tackle of Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Jhajuan Seales (81) at Boone Pickens Stadium. The Sooners defeated the Cowboys 58-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Stillwater, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners safety Ahmad Thomas (13) makes a diving tackle of Oklahoma State Cowboys wide receiver Jhajuan Seales (81) at Boone Pickens Stadium. The Sooners defeated the Cowboys 58-23. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Senior Safety Ahmad Thomas

I’m not sure you can call Ahmad Thomas a sleeper, given that he has started every game the past two seasons. With cornerback Zack Sanchez now gone to the NFL and the status of Jordan Thomas at the other corner to start the season, however, my feeling is you are going to be seeing and hearing much more of Thomas, and more is going to be expected from him in the coming season.

Thomas played both strong safety and free safety for the Sooners last season. He was the third leading tackler on the team with 75 (49 solo and 26 assisted). Three different times during the 2015 season he recorded double-digit tackles in a game. He had three of Oklahoma’s 20 total interceptions on defense last season. One of those interceptions came in a Sooner home game vs. West Virginia. The Mountaineers were driving in the fourth quarter and were in OU territory when Thomas picked off a pass from West Virginia quarterback Skyler Howard and returned it 33 yards down to the Mountaineer 29-yard line.

Thomas had seven tackles in the Sooners’ 38-17 loss last season to Clemson in the College Football Playoff. He made 10 tackles against the same team the year before in the Russell Athletic Bowl.

The Sooner senior safety was an All-Big 12 First Team selection last season. While he is hardly a sleeper in terms of playing time, I think we are going to be hearing his name even more prominently in his final college season. And that definitely would be good news for the OU defense.

Next: Sophomore Tight End Mark Andrews

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