R Mason Thomas Fought Through Injury to Finish His OU Career on His Terms in CFP Loss to Alabama
For Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas, the College Football Playoff semifinal against Alabama wasn’t just the final game of the season - it was the culmination of a personal journey marked by setbacks, perseverance, and a commitment to finishing strong.
Thomas had battled a lingering quadriceps injury throughout the year, a frustrating roadblock that limited his availability and effectiveness. But when it mattered most - under the brightest lights in the CFP - he was on the field, playing meaningful snaps and helping anchor the Sooners’ defensive front.
“I knew I had to be out there,” Thomas said. “I didn’t want to go out any other way.”
That mindset speaks volumes about the kind of player and leader Thomas became in Norman. After missing six games this season due to that quad injury, he returned just in time to contribute down the stretch, including in the biggest game of the year. Against Alabama, he logged one of his highest snap counts of the season, showing flashes of the explosive edge presence Oklahoma fans had seen in previous years.
His impact wasn’t just physical - it was emotional. Teammates and coaches alike recognized the significance of his return. Defensive coordinator Ted Roof praised Thomas for his toughness and leadership, noting that his presence gave the team a boost both on the field and in the locker room.
“He gave everything he had,” Roof said. “That’s the kind of guy you want in your program.”
For Thomas, the decision to gut it out and play in the CFP wasn’t just about pride. It was about legacy. He wanted to leave Oklahoma on his own terms - not sidelined, not watching from the bench, but in the trenches, fighting alongside his teammates.
That sentiment echoed throughout the Sooners’ locker room after the game. Head coach Brent Venables, reflecting on the contributions of his outgoing seniors, singled out Thomas as an example of the kind of culture Oklahoma is trying to build.
“These guys made a deposit into this program,” Venables said. “They didn’t just play here - they left something behind.”
Thomas was one of several veterans who chose to finish the season with the team rather than opt out or enter the transfer portal early. That decision, in today’s college football landscape, isn’t always the norm. But for Thomas, it was never in question.
“I wasn’t going to leave these guys,” he said. “We’ve been through too much together.”
And while the Sooners came up short against Alabama, Thomas’s performance was a reminder of what makes college football special - the stories behind the stats, the players who fight through adversity, and the ones who choose to finish what they started.
Now, with his college career officially in the books, Thomas turns the page. Whether that next chapter includes the NFL or another opportunity remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: he left Oklahoma the way he wanted - on the field, in the fight, and with his head held high.