THESE IS THE BEST NEWS WE COULD HOPE FOR: Oklahoma sooner football and National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA are overjoyed as head coach Brent Venable makes announcements of making defensive end R Mason Thomas the new….see more

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the world of college football, Oklahoma Sooners head coach Brent Venables has made an electrifying announcement that could redefine not only the team’s future but also set a precedent across the NCAA.

In a surprise press conference held Friday afternoon at the Barry Switzer Center, Coach Venables announced that **redshirt sophomore defensive end R Mason Thomas** will take on a **newly created hybrid role**—part-player, part-coach—a groundbreaking position that reflects both Thomas’s on-field dominance and off-field leadership. And yes, the NCAA has officially signed off on it.

> “This is the best news we could hope for,” Venables said with a proud smile. “Not just for our program, but for the sport. R Mason Thomas isn’t just playing football—he’s changing how it’s played, how it’s coached, and how it’s led.”

## A NEW ERA IN NORMAN

Thomas, a 6-foot-2, 247-pound defensive phenom, has already made a name for himself as one of the most explosive pass rushers in the Big 12. With 11 sacks in the 2024 season and a relentless motor that earned him first-team All-Big 12 honors, many expected him to enter the 2025 NFL Draft early.

But instead of heading to the league, Thomas made a decision that shocked even his closest teammates: **he’s staying**—and he’s stepping up in a way no one saw coming.

> “I’ve always believed football is more than just making plays,” Thomas said during the press conference. “It’s about legacy, leadership, and lifting the guys around you. Coach V believed in me when nobody else did. This is my way of giving back—and moving forward.”

## THE HYBRID ROLE: “PLAYER DEVELOPMENT LIAISON”

Venables explained that Thomas’s new title will be **“Player Development Liaison – Defensive Unit,”** a first-of-its-kind designation that gives him both locker room authority and limited coaching responsibilities.

While Thomas will still suit up every Saturday to terrorize opposing quarterbacks, he’ll also take an active role in mentoring younger players, helping shape defensive strategy, and working with position coaches to design practice schemes.

> “He’s not just playing, he’s helping coach up the edge guys,” said defensive line coach Miguel Chavis. “I’ve seen him draw up drills, call out offensive tendencies mid-practice, and lead film sessions like a grad assistant. The man’s got a football IQ that’s off the charts.”

The NCAA, surprisingly, had no issues approving the position—provided it remains unpaid and within player eligibility guidelines. According to a statement released by the organization, “We support innovation that enhances student-athlete leadership and development. R Mason Thomas exemplifies the values of excellence, mentorship, and integrity that our association upholds.”

The announcement drew an emotional response from many of Thomas’s teammates, several of whom shared personal stories about how he had taken them under his wing during tough moments.

Sophomore linebacker Kobe McKenzie said, “When I was struggling with confidence last season, R was the one who stayed late, watched extra film with me, and helped me believe I belonged. Him getting this role? He earned it a long time ago.”

Star safety Peyton Bowen added, “He’s the glue in that locker room. There’s no ego, just excellence. He doesn’t talk down to you, he lifts you up. That’s leadership.”

True freshman recruit Jayden Nichols, a highly touted edge prospect from Texas, said Thomas was a big reason he chose OU over Alabama and Georgia.

> “During my visit, he spent three hours breaking down tape with me,” Nichols said. “That told me everything I needed to know. He wants to win—and he wants to help others win.”

Coach Venables has been known for his defensive genius, but perhaps his greatest strength has always been talent development and leadership cultivation. This bold move may be his most visionary yet.

> “This is about empowering student-athletes,” Venables said. “This is what Oklahoma football is all about—leading from within. We don’t just want great players; we want great men.”

Venables emphasized that this decision was not made overnight. He and his staff had observed Thomas’s evolution over the past year, describing him as a “coach in cleats.”

> “If the NCAA would let me give him a headset on game day, I would,” Venables joked. “But even without it, his voice is already heard.”

The move is already generating buzz on the recruiting trail and among national media. Several analysts are calling it a game-changer for college football culture.

Kirk Herbstreit tweeted shortly after the announcement:

> “What Venables is doing at OU with R Mason Thomas is unprecedented—and brilliant. True culture leadership. Other programs will follow.”

Recruiting expert Tom Luginbill echoed that sentiment:

> “The ability to groom leaders from within while they’re still in uniform? That’s the next frontier. Oklahoma just got there first.”

OU insiders say the announcement has already paid off—four-star linebacker Marcus Hightower, who had previously leaned toward Michigan, reportedly called Venables just hours later to “reopen the conversation.”

As the Sooners prepare for their final season in the Big 12 before transitioning fully into the SEC, the timing of this announcement couldn’t be more symbolic. It represents not only a bridge between eras but also a blueprint for the future.

> “There’s something special happening in Norman,” Thomas said. “We’re not just chasing titles—we’re building something that lasts.”

While the Sooners open their 2025 campaign next week against SMU, the real story isn’t just about wins and losses anymore. It’s about evolution. About growth. About leadership.

In a world where college football often revolves around NIL deals, transfer portals, and early draft declarations, the Sooners and R Mason Thomas have given fans a reminder of what makes the sport beautiful: loyalty, leadership, and love for the game.

As Thomas walked off the podium, he was met with a standing ovation from teammates, media members, and staff alike. His last words before stepping off the stage were simple—but powerful.

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