Oklahoma's head coach, Brent Venables, had some intriguing insights about the new defensive tackle, Bishop Thomas. As the Sooners kicked off spring camp, Venables and his staff got their first real look at the newcomers, including Thomas, who transferred from Georgia State. After the second day of practice, Venables shared his initial impressions, and it seems Thomas is already making waves.
Venables humorously noted, "Bishop Thomas is kind of funky looking. He’s not really impressive at first glance.
Looks like someone’s quirky uncle. But, wow, everything you saw on tape is what we’re seeing here."
Despite his unconventional appearance, Thomas has shown he knows how to play the game. He stays on his feet, plays with strength, understands leverage, and moves with quickness. Venables acknowledged that Thomas has done a commendable job in the early days of practice.
Thomas joined the Sooners through the Transfer Portal after a varied college career. He started at Florida State, moved to Colorado, and then spent two seasons at Georgia State.
Last year marked his standout season, with 48 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a pass breakup over 12 games, including four starts. Before 2025, he had only 13 appearances in three years.
While the addition of Thomas didn't create much buzz, the Sooners weren't necessarily looking for a high-profile acquisition. They needed depth behind returning starters David Stone and Jayden Jackson. With Stone and Jackson sidelined by injuries this spring, Thomas has stepped up, seizing the opportunity to shine.
Venables’ light-hearted remarks aside, it’s clear the Sooners may have found just what they needed in Bishop Thomas. His ability to step in and impress during Stone and Jackson's absence highlights his potential value to the team.