R Mason Thomas is an edge rusher and 2026 NFL Draft prospect who played four seasons at the University of Oklahoma. A native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Thomas was a four-star recruit in the 2022 class who originally committed to Iowa State before flipping to Oklahoma when Brent Venables arrived as head coach, choosing the Sooners over Penn State, South Carolina, and Miami. He showed flashes in limited action as a freshman and sophomore but was hampered by high-ankle sprains in both years that cost him significant playing time. His 2024 junior season was a breakthrough, as a healthy Thomas started the majority of games and recorded 23 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and a team-leading 9.0 sacks while earning second-team All-SEC honors. He returned for his senior year and built on that production across 10 games with 36 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks before suffering a soft-tissue quad injury late in the season, earning second-team All-American recognition and first-team All-SEC honors for his efforts. His career totals across 42 games stand at 40 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two defensive touchdowns.
Standing approximately 6 feet 2 inches and 241 to 249 pounds and clocking a 4.67-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, Thomas is one of the most purely explosive and technical pass rushers in the class. His first-step burst is among the best regardless of position, his ability to bend the corner and convert speed to power is consistent on tape, and his pass-rush move set includes slap-rips, ghost moves, spin counters, and inside counters that keep offensive tackles constantly guessing. Six of his nine 2024 sacks came in the fourth quarter protecting leads, reflecting the competitive toughness that scouts call his most underrated trait. The legitimate concerns center on his smaller frame and shorter arms, which create anchor challenges against power rushers in the run game, and a soft-tissue injury history that raises durability questions. He projects as a Day 1 to early Day 2 selection as a designated pass rusher with starter upside if his body holds up and his strength development continues at the professional level.
