Why Oklahoma is Still in the Mix for 2025 OL Tyler Thomas

Following a solid performance at the Brent Venables Elite Camp last summer, 3-star 2025 offensive lineman Tyler Thomas picked up an offer from Oklahoma.

The 6-foot-4, 310-pound tackle traveled to OU’s camp in hopes of earning an offer after speaking with the Sooners’ coaching staff, ultimately achieving his goal after showcasing his impressive foot speed and winning one-on-one reps.

With Texas, Mississippi and other big-time offers already in hand, Oklahoma was the latest of multiple Power 5 programs to express their interest in the athletic trench player.

Since then, Bill Bedenbaugh and company have done a good job of keeping in communication with Thomas, ultimately landing in his top eight schools when he announced the list in early December.

Where’s 🏡?? pic.twitter.com/Wesp8wijpz
— Tyler Thomas (@TThomas06x) December 3, 2023

Bedenbaugh and Thomas have a good relationship, and the Dickinson, TX, standout told AllSooners that OU is still firmly in the mix in his recruitment. The longtime o-line coach has a good track record of putting offensive linemen in the NFL, and Thomas seems to have taken notice.

"I talk to Coach Bedenbaugh all the time," Thomas told AllSooners. "I've looked at a bunch of the guys he's put in the NFL. I watch them all the time. I watch Orlando Brown and Trent Williams all the time, and Lane Johnson."

Thomas also said that he is a fan of former OU tackle and Jaguars offensive lineman Anton Harrison.

Brown, who came out of high school as a 4-star recruit, spent four years under Bedenbaugh before being selected in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. In his professional career, Brown has tallied four Pro Bowl nods and won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Williams, who hails from Longview, TX, also spent four years pre-Bedenbaugh in Norman before being selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Williams has become one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL, earning 11 Pro Bowl selections and three All-Pro honors.

Johnson came to Norman as a walk-on tight end from Kilgore College (TX) before moving over to play tackle his final two years at OU. Johnson's decision to switch positions paid off, as the Groveton, TX, native was selected fourth overall in the 2013 NFL Draft. Johnson has gone on to become a five-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro and Super Bowl champion.

Harrison, who was selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, started all 17 games for the Jaguars at tackle this season.

Thomas’ play style and mentality seem to fit well with what Bedenbaugh values in a prospect. Dickinson head coach John Snelson described his star o-lineman as a “lunch pail guy,” saying that he is a hard worker who takes coaching well.

"Kind of a lunch pail guy. Just shows up to work, shows up early, never misses a day, works hard, never takes off a rep," Snelson told AllSooners. "He has very high goals but he's level-headed. He understands what it's going to take and that he has to earn everything."

Snelson also talked about Thomas’ on-field skill set, highlighting the 3-star prospect’s impressive athleticism and mobility at 6-foot-4 and 310 pounds. The ability to get to the second level and finish blocks is another common trait that successful Bedenbaugh offensive lineman typically share.

According to Snelson, Thomas excels in both aspects.

"He is a big-bodied kid that's really athletic. Getting more and more physical, he can really bend," Snelson said. "His flexibility is good. He's a technician, his fundamentals and his technique are really important to him."

Snelson said that he’s seen Thomas’ physicality and willingness to be nasty in the trenches grow tremendously during his Gators career. Snelson also added that Thomas is a good leader and a positive voice in the locker room.

"As a freshman, he was a good football player and he did his job, but he wasn't really physical, wasn't real nasty," Snelson said.

"Just the older that he's gotten and the more that he's watched and learned all that stuff, man, he's got a nasty streak to him. ... Lots of guys block, but not a whole lot of guys really like to finish, and Tyler's really kind of gotten into the finishing part, which is really cool to see."

The physicality needed to finish off blocks is yet another attribute that Bedenbaugh seems to value when evaluating high school prospects, as the well-respected coach has turned a number of undervalued recruits into longtime NFL players.

For example, Ben Powers received no offers out of high school and came to Norman after spending a season at Butler Community College. Powers was incredibly physical, however, and was selected in the NFL Draft after three years under Bedenbaugh.

Now, Powers is on his second NFL contract, starting games for the Denver Broncos.

Despite Bedenbaugh’s track record and Thomas’ interest in OU, the Sooners still have to beat out a handful of stiff competitors to land the 2025 recruit.

Houston, Texas, Penn State, Tennessee, Mississippi, Texas A&M and LSU joined Oklahoma in Thomas’ top eight. Last weekend, he visited the hometown Cougars.

Thomas also told AllSooners that he will visit the Aggies in the near future.

"They're really excited for me to come up there," Thomas said.

With Oklahoma focusing on offensive line recruiting in the 2025 class, the Sooners will have a battle ahead to land Thomas, who said that he has not decided a commitment date yet. Still, it appears OU and Bedenbaugh are a solid contender in Thomas' recruitment at the moment.

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