Isaiah

Thomas

Detroit fans surely have never rooted for anyone else with this name. Thomas will be tasked with helping to replace Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport after both have been lost for the season. Thomas played in 10 games for the Browns in 2022 as a rotational end and special teamer, notching two pass deflections, one tackle for loss, and four solo tackles.

Thomas (6’5/266) barely saw the field over his first three seasons until he broke into the starting lineup in 2020, contributing at a high level with 42 pressures, 32 tackles, 13 TFLs, and 8.5 sacks while earning an elite 89.8 pass-rush grade from PFF despite playing just 358 snaps. The two-time second-team All-Big 12 Edge defender played well last year by totaling 34 pressures, 11.5 TFLs, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, and four PBUs. Thomas’ tackling acumen was sorely lacking in each campaign, with a 21% missed tackle rate in 2020 and a ghastly 32% rate last season that ranked fifth-worst in the country. He showed well in his testing, posting an 87th-percentile 4.7 40 with similarly strong 10- and 20-yard splits and a 9.16 relative athletic score. However, he didn’t do any agility drills and recorded just a 31.5-inch vertical. Thomas has active hands he uses to swat blockers’ hands away to keep his chest clean and utilizes a push/pull technique. He is strong enough to hold his own when engaged but misses tackle opportunities due to his erratic rush approach. Thomas is a stout base defensive end who also has the size to play three tech but lacks explosiveness.

Thomas (6'5/266) has the unique distinction of being one of two EDGE rushers to run a 4.7 or faster at the Combine while weighing 265+ pounds according to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo. The other EDGE rusher to meet this threshold was Georgia’s Travon Walker, who is regarded as one of the more athletic big men in this year’s class. Last season at Oklahoma, Thomas totaled 38 tackles, eight sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. He has reportedly met with the Cowboys, Bills, Broncos, Giants and will soon meet with the Bengals.

Thomas (6'5/266) had initially accepted an offer to attend and play in the Shrine Bowl but ended up accepting an offer to head to Mobile that same week. In previous years, Thomas might have been able to attend both games, as the Shrine Bowl was historically one week before the Senior Bowl. Thomas becomes the second player in the last week to make the switch, joining safety Kerby Joseph from Illinois. Thomas had an excellent season, compiling 38 tackles, eight sacks, and three forced fumbles for the Sooners, earning second-team all Big-12 honors.

Thomas (6'5/262) was a second-team All Big-12 performer for the Sooners last year and eschewed the NFL in order to anchor a surly OU defense this season. He amassed an impressive 8.5 sacks, 46 pressures, 29 hurries and 24 stops while logging 451 snaps with 237 of those snaps coming in the B-Gap. He was brought into the station at 2:59 Sunday morning, but there aren’t many specifics regarding the incident at the moment. OU opens the season at Tulane September 4, it is unclear what form of punishment will be doled out from HC Lincoln Riley for the infraction.

Thomas (6'5/267) is a pivotal returnee for a resurgent Sooners defense, as he was named a second-team All-Big 12 selection by league coaches and media. The redshirt junior started all 10 games this season, playing both defensive end and tackle, while registering 31 tackles, 20 solo, a team leading 8.0 sacks and 12.5 TFL. He also posted eight quarterback hurries, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and two PBU. Thomas’ return is a boon for an OU team that allowed only 21.9 points per game this year.