NFL Draft buzz building for R Mason Thomas after jaw-dropping PFF callout

Oklahoma general manager Jim Nagy has already tried to tell everyone how good defensive end R Mason Thomas is, and maybe some are finally listening.

Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema recently wrote a glowing evaluation about Thomas as he scouts top 2026 NFL Draft prospects.

"The more I watched, the more I saw a potential impact player in the NFL," Sikkema wrote.

Oklahoma's DE earned a glowing evaluation from PFF

Then when PFF posted to share Sikkema's evaluation, the outlet said, "Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas is one of the best athletes at the position you’ll ever see," and many agreed.

Sikkema shared plenty of numbers to back up such a bold statement. According to Sikkema, Thomas was clocked reaching speeds of 15 mph coming from the edge 22 times last season. That's nearly instant acceleration with little time to gain speed. Because of that freak athleticism, Thomas had at least five quarterback pressures in four games last season as a junior.

PFF has been a big fan of Thomas lately, not just Sikkema, and even ranked him as the second-best edge rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft class. The outlet also recently posted boasting about Thomas' stats from last season of nine sacks, 10 QB hits, 35 QB hurries and an 87.3 pass rush grade.

This recent praise came just over a week after Nagy tried to warn everyone of Thomas' building draft buzz.

Thomas chose to return for his senior campaign at OU instead of entering the draft last year and it seems to be paying off early. Thomas was already projected as a first-round pick in CBS Sports' first mock draft for the 2026 class back in April. Thomas' stock has only risen since, and he hasn't even stepped on the field yet. Outsiders are just finally paying attention.

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