Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables had a lot of nice things to say about new defensive tackle Bishop Thomas. Well, for the most part.
Venables and the rest of his staff are getting their first real looks at OU's newcomers, including Thomas, as the Sooners started spring camp on Wednesday. Venables met with media on Thursday after the second day of practice and revealed his initial thoughts on some the Sooners' new players, and it sounds like Thomas made quite the first impression after transferring from Georgia State.
"Bishop Thomas," Venables said with a chuckle. "He's kind of funky looking. He's not really impressive. He looks like somebody’s crazy uncle. He’d be a lot of fun to hang out with, and you really don’t think he can play ball. But, man, everything that you saw on tape is what we’ve seen.
"The guy just knows how to play the game. Stays on his feet, plays strong, understands leverage, plays quick. And he’s done a nice job the first couple of days.”
Bishop Thomas impressing during David Stone and Jayden Jackson's absence
Thomas was a flier out of the Transfer Portal after bouncing around during his four-year college football career. He started his career at Florida State for one year, then Colorado for another one-year stop before spending the last two seasons at Georgia State.
This past season was by far Thomas' best yet as he tallied 48 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a pass breakup while appearing in all 12 games and making four starts. Before 2025, Thomas had made 13 appearances total in his first three years.
Although the addition of Thomas didn't make headlines or excite fans, the Sooners really weren't searching for a big get at the position. OU just needed more depth along the defensive line behind returning starters David Stone and Jayden Jackson.
Stone and Jackson, though, started the spring injured, which is ultimately what led Venables to bring up Thomas as he has stepped up and impressed while getting more opportunity because of the injuries. Venables might have made a rare joke, but it still sounds like the Sooners found exactly what they were looking for with Thomas.