Stormin in Norman
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Jordan Thomas’ Status for Season Opener Still Not Settled

By Chip Rouse

Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (34) carries the ball as Oklahoma Sooners cornerback Jordan Thomas (7) makes the tackle during the third quarter of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (34) carries the ball as Oklahoma Sooners cornerback Jordan Thomas (7) makes the tackle during the third quarter of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jordan Thomas is a disciplined warrior on the football field, but his off-the-field behavior may keep him sidelined in one of the Sooners’ most important games of the 2016 season.

Thomas has a history of poor judgement in several off-the-field incidents in his two seasons as a Sooner. The most recent of these occurred in June, when the All-Big 12 cornerback was arrested on complaints of public intoxication, police interference and alleged assault stemming from an incident outside of a popular bar in Norman.

Bob Stoops told reporters on Saturday at the team’s annual Meet the Sooners Day, and reported in OU Daily and other local media outlets, “That hasn’t been decided,” when asked whether a decision has been made on if Thomas will play in the season-opener against Houston on Sept. 3.

If the decision is to sit OU’s only returning defensive corner from last season in the Houston game, it will definitely impact the Sooner pass defense against a very good and ranked Houston team whose quarterback, Greg Ward, threw for over 2,000 yards and ran for 1,000 more in 2015.

OU is already missing Zack Sanchez, another All-Big 12 defensive back from a year ago who declared early for the NFL draft.

“It not only reflects on Jordan, but it reflects on the secondary…on the defense…on the team…on Coach Stoops and myself.” —Kerry Cooks, OU assistant defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach

Given Thomas’ history of off-the-field issues – he was suspended twice last season for team violations and was arrested this past winter for failure to appear in court on a traffic violation – and Stoops’ history of taking immediate and direct action in disciplining players who run afoul of the law, it is difficult to think that Thomas will not be suspended for at least one game, if not more.

Said assistant defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks, “I’m always disappointed when our kids don’t make the proper decisions. With him (Jordan Thomas), it’s not anything to do with his athletic ability. He’s got to learn that he’s got to put himself in positions that are going to be positive and not negative.

“It not only reflects on Jordan, but it reflects on the secondary…on the defense…on the team…and on coach Stoops and myself. He’s got to understand that outside of the ‘Thomas’ on the back of his jersey, he’s playing for Oklahoma and all his brothers as well.”

Thomas should be disciplined for his latest indiscretions, if for no other reason than to reinforce the message that this kind of behavior is not acceptable for an Oklahoma student athlete. Thomas clearly has not gotten the message, or he just plain doesn’t care, in which case he is a major liability to the school and his team and needs to suffer the appropriate consequences.

It’s just unfortunate that Thomas’ actions and the resulting discipline he will face could be far more damaging and consequential to his teammates, who need and want him on the field, than to him personally.

Don’t expect to see No. 7 on defense on the field on Sept. 3.

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