Oklahoma football: The Oklahoma Sooners 2023 Edge belongs to R Mason Thomas
By Brandon Self
Since 2000, the Oklahoma football program has seen 18 players drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft. Of those 18 players, two were defensive linemen (Tommie Harris and Gerald McCoy). But not since Cedric Jones in 1996 has the Sooners seen one of their defensive ends drafted in the first round. In fact, the highest drafted Sooner defensive end to be drafted in the NFL since 2000 was Dan Cody in 2005 to the Baltimore Ravens. As we speak, the Sooners’ defense has a defensive end within its ranks that will change that.
Sooner EDGE R Mason-Thomas is an exceptional athlete. His unique combination of size, speed, and athleticism will eventually see his name added to the same list as Cedric Jones. For a good reason, Mason-Thomas is slated as one of the Sooners’ two starting defensive ends entering 2023. Mason-Thomas brings an edge rush presence to the Sooner’s defense, allowing them to pressure quarterbacks without blurring. His impact on the Sooners 2023 will be immense.
The 6′ 2”, 240-pound edge rusher came to Norman in the 2022 recruiting class. He hails from Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Cardinal Gibbons HS). In high school, Mason-Thomas was a composite 4-star recruit with 118 tackles, 19 sacks, and an interception over his junior and senior years. His work ethic, and athleticism, allowed him to become his recruiting class’ first player to see the field in Norman last year against UTEP. During his freshman campaign, Mason-Thomas totaled 10 games played, 7 total tackles, 1 TFL, and a half sack. Not chart-topping numbers… but his real production came this Spring.
Mason-Thomas had arguably the best Spring practice performance of any Sooner. In fact, he may have had the best overall offseason of any Sooner, adding a reported 20 pounds of weight during the Winter and Spring conditioning cycle. All while adding to his “twitch,” as Sooner defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis said.
R Mason-Thomas’ best attribute is this “twitch” coach Chavis talks about. He’s explosive off the ball, almost looking like a 100-meter track sprinter firing out of his stance. He’s also physical at the point of attack. He’s developed a good arsenal of pass-rush moves. He has become very effective at what defensive linemen call “dipping around the edge” on defensive tackles. He brings tremendous flexibility and bends when he attempts to gain the outside edge on an offensive lineman. With his added weight, I’d venture to guess he’s developed quite the bull rush as well.
Mason-Thomas will be a lethal force one-on-one in pass-rush scenarios. He will be 2023’s initial force of pass-rush production for the Sooners. With the wealth of experience, Mason-Thomas gained in 2022, he is primed for a breakout season in 2023. He is one of the Sooners’ brightest young players on the defensive side of the ball. Judging by his work ethic, I’d say he will quickly make a name for himself in the national landscape of elite pass rushers.
Mason-Thomas lines up on a reloaded and revamped, talented Sooner defensive line. The additions of Rondell Bothroyd, Trace Ford, Davon Sears, and Jacob Lacey have overhauled the Sooners’ defensive line. Not to mention 5-star freshman phenom edge rusher P.J. Adebawore. This retooled Sooner defensive front looks prepared to bring the heat early on quarterbacks this season, all of which is led by Sophomore R Mason Thomas.
I look forward to watching R Mason Thomas have his breakout year this season. The Sooner defensive line is on the cutting edge. And that cutting edge is led by edge rusher R Mason Thomas. Keep your eyes on him this season. He won’t be hard to find. He will be the one standing over the top of the flat-backed quarterbacks.