Elijah Thomas is Oklahoma’s silver lining to Parker Livingstone’s early injury

Oklahoma fans might finally get what they want from sophomore wide receiver Elijah Thomas.

Thomas was listed as a co-starter with Parker Livingstone at X receiver on OU’s initial depth chart of the season ahead of the Sooners’ opener against UTEP at 7 p.m. CT Friday in Norman. The Sooners, though, could be without Livingstone, who’s in concussion protocol, which would not only give Thomas his first career start, but also his first-ever extensive playing time at receiver after two fall camps of hype.

No one ever wants to see a player injured, and OU fans are just as amped to see Livingstone after transferring from rival Texas, but this should finally give the real preview of Thomas that many of us have been begging for since last preseason. Thomas could be a star, and now the Sooners have no choice but to find out.

Sooner Nation has been begging for OU to unleash Elijah Thomas, and now is the time

Thomas was maybe the most exciting prospect of the Sooners’ 2025 signing class as a consensus four-star recruit out of Checotah High School in Oklahoma, where he was a star on both sides of the ball. He was the No. 5 athlete in his class, according to the 247Sports Composite, and the top overall player in the state. As a senior, Thomas caught 72 passes for 1,803 yards and 26 touchdowns, while also lining up at quarterback, running back, linebacker and defensive back.

It wasn’t just Thomas’ recruiting ratings and high school tape that had Sooner Nation antsy to see what he could do in crimson and cream, either. All fall camp last year, there was a buzz about how impressive Thomas looked. There were even highlight reels of incredible catches, and wide receivers coach Emmett Jones comped him to New York Giants star wideout Malik Nabers.

Then, Thomas was a constant on special teams as a freshman, but barely saw the field at receiver. He recorded just one five-yard catch in limited opportunities, which left many fans throughout the season questioning why he wasn’t out there more. There was once again a ton of hype about Thomas this fall camp, but this time, fans were more hesitant after how it all unfolded last year.

Thomas, though, believes he used his time on special teams and a second offseason to earn more trust from his coaches to prove himself as a wide receiver. His co-starter label on the depth chart proved he had, and now he could have more opportunity than any of us anticipated before Livingstone’s recent injury update.

“I changed my process up. My mindset is all different," Thomas said during fall camp. "I’m coming for it. That’s it.”

Whether he thrives or flops, we’ll at least know more about Thomas than we ever have before after Friday night, which is all many of us have been asking for.

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