Back in the spring, Bishop Thomas was still trying to make sense of Brent Venables’ defense. By the time Oklahoma opened game week for UTEP, the veteran transfer had settled in enough to earn a spot in the Sooners’ rotation at defensive tackle.
Thomas said the learning curve in Norman was real, but it was one he eventually pushed through.
"It's very tough if you make it tough," Thomas said of understanding Oklahoma's defense. "But obviously, I got over that hump, so it's just gotten a little better."
That progression matters for Oklahoma, which is replacing Damonic Williams and Gracen Halton inside. Thomas gives the Sooners a proven body in the middle of the line, and that experience stands out on a depth chart that includes younger options like Nigel Smith II, Trent Wilson and true freshman Tank Carrington.
The 6-foot-1, 297-pound Thomas is on his fourth school in five years, but he has already carved out a role in Oklahoma’s season-opening two-deep as the backup to David Stone, with Smith alongside him on the second line. For Thomas, the move from simply reacting to the defense to understanding it has been the difference.
Thomas said Stone played a major part in helping him get there.
"He's taught me how to really just orchestrate this defense," Thomas said.
Stone, a preseason All-American and one of Oklahoma’s captains, helped Thomas understand not just what to do, but why it matters within the Sooners’ scheme. That kind of growth is exactly what Venables has been looking for. He said Thomas has shown the discipline and detail needed to earn trust.
"A lot of the little details from a discipline standpoint and a fundamental standpoint, have shown up consistently," Venables said. "Not perfect, but he is, instead of trying to make plays, he's been able to do a lot of the little things that it takes to execute the big picture of any defensive call.
There's a depth of what we do. And my job is to figure out who can do what well and then give it to them when they're in there; protect guys that can't do certain things well and lean into the things that they do well.
So, he has a body of work from the spring, summer and fall camp, where he's earned a lot of trust, certainly I know from the defensive staff, coach (Todd) Bates, but myself.
"My lens is to find out who's not doing the little things well and who has an inconsistent problem, if you will. Who's somebody that's going to try to push the envelope and do things their way?
And I've been proud of him. He's done a nice job when it comes to being who we need him to be."
Thomas has put together a sizable résumé already, with 25 games played over the last four seasons at Florida State, Colorado and Georgia State, plus 574 snaps at defensive tackle. Most of that work came last season at Georgia State, where he played in 12 games, started four, and logged 427 snaps while finishing with 48 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks and 17 total pressures.
That background gives him more experience than Oklahoma’s other non-starters at the position. Smith has 15 career snaps, Wilson has 29, and Carrington is a freshman.
Thomas said the patience shown by defensive tackles coach Todd Bates helped him get to this point, and now he’s ready for the chance to bring the same energy that earned him the nickname “Juice.”
"I'm ready," Thomas said. "That's it.
I ain't really got that much to say about that one. I'm ready, and we're going to see."
Stone likes what he sees, too.
"He plays fast, man," Stone said. "He plays fast and physical for someone his size.
Like, having him on the field next to me is fun. He's a fun kid….
He has a lot of juice, man. He brings it every play.
He's not taking a play off, he's flying to the ball, striking blocks, so it's fun to see him play at a high level and just seeing the transformation of where he's at from where he started at Florida State to now is just night and day."
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