Brent Venables reveals R Mason Thomas was given seven-figure offer to leave Oklahoma

Oklahoma feels a lot better about its chances in 2025, partly due to the defensive line pieces. The Sooners arguably have one of the SEC’s best groups if you include EDGEs. R Mason Thomas highlights the bunch, returning to college football after a big junior campaign.

Thomas remained in Norman but apparently had opportunities to go elsewhere. Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables revealed a sizeable offer was put out there to Thomas this offseason. But he stayed true to where he has been all his career, opting to finish things out with Oklahoma.

“Through a lot of hard work, man, he’s really developed into one of the most explosive defenders in all the college football,” Venables said. “He was offered, you know, well over seven figures to leave Oklahoma in the offseason. But, you know, just goes to show the type of character, type of care, the type of investment that he has here at Oklahoma (and) what his opportunity means to him. So, really cool to see.”

Thomas possesses an On3 NIL Valuation of $754,000. His roster value is just a smidge lower, coming in at $723,000. Given his past success and position, most programs out there would love to have somebody like Thomas on the roster. Venables did not reveal which team or what conference they play in came in for Thomas.

Roster retention is a big part of any head coach’s offseason now. Or maybe in the case of the Sooners, general manager Jim Nagy. Losing Thomas would have been a massive blow — even with the program’s defensive line talent. As Venables mentions, people believe the high character of Thomas is what ultimately helped him stay.

In 13 games, the OU star recorded 23 tackles, 13 tackles for a loss, and nine sacks. A lot of those sacks were in big-time moments too, sealing a couple of games for the Sooners. Not too bad a role to build for yourself, continually coming up clutch for the team, and something hard to find when looking at stats.

Everyone is hoping the number can rise into double digits this go-round. The journey will begin on Saturday as Oklahoma opens the season against Illinois State. One week later is when Thomas can once again shine in a massive moment with the Michigan Wolverines in town. A true freshman quarterback will be waiting for him in the backfield in Bryce Underwood.