Oklahoma is looking for Elijah Thomas to turn a promising offseason into something bigger this fall.
The sophomore receiver has been stacking up strong practices as the Sooners build toward the 2026 season, and that kind of consistency is exactly what can change a player’s standing inside the rotation. Thomas flashed natural ability during his first offseason at OU a year ago, but on Saturdays his impact mostly came on special teams. Even there, he made his presence felt.
“Elijah led our team in the (special-team) points last year,” Oklahoma coach Brent Venables said after practice on Friday.
Now the next step is clear: carve out a role in Emmett Jones’ receiver group.
Venables pointed to Thomas and fellow second-year receiver Manny Choice as examples of players who have matured through the offseason and started to show more of what they can be. The coach said Thomas has especially caught his eye over the last few days.
“(In the) last several days, Elijah’s really done some really good things that lend credibility to taking another jump,” Venables said. “And again, it’s for both of ‘em, the test is will they show up every single day.”
Choice knows the ceiling is there. He didn’t hide how he sees Thomas, either.
“He’s a freak, man,” Choice said on Friday. “… Just a playmaker, man. He goes out there and makes plays, and he wants it.”
Venables also said former Oklahoma star Ryan Broyles recently spoke to the team, and he believes that message can resonate with younger players like Thomas. Broyles’ path in Norman took time, but it ended with the most receptions in NCAA history and a place in Sooners lore.
“The growth, the development, the maturation, the hunger - and that was his message,” Venables said. “The hunger to show up every day and act like you’re a walk-on, have an underdog mentality.
“… We all have a responsibility. I think those guys understand; we’re counting on ‘em.
We’re Oklahoma. For the Oklahoma Sooners to be the team we want to be, we’ve talked about wanting to be, it includes Manny and Elijah Thomas as being dudes.
Not being freshmen that are forgotten that are now sophomores, but being dudes. Showing up and having some purpose to what they’re doing.
“So far, camp’s been good for those guys. They’ve taken another step from where we were in the spring.”
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