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OU vs Alabama availability report: R Mason Thomas officially cleared to play

headshotby: George Stoia12/17/25GeorgeStoia

The first availability report for the College Football Playoff first round game between OU and Alabama was released on Tuesday night. And OU got some good news.

Senior defensive end R Mason Thomas was not listed on the report, meaning he will be available to play. It will be his first time playing since the Tennessee game on Nov. 1.

Here is the full report:

  • RB Jovantae Barnes: Probable
  • OL Jake Maikkula: Questionable
  • DB Gentry Williams: Out
  • DB Kendel Dolby: Out
  • DB Jeremiah Newcombe: Out
  • OL Troy Everett: Out

Coach Brent Venables said on Monday at his press conference that he anticipates both Thomas and Maikkula to practice this week.

Thomas has been out with a quad injury since returning a fumble 71 yards for a touchdown against Tennessee. He hasn’t practiced much since the injury, but has been ramping up his rehab in recent weeks to be ready for the playoffs.

Maikkula did not play in the season finale against LSU after getting an infection. Like Thomas, Maikkula has not practiced much. His biggest obstacle to returning is fatigue, though he has returned to team meetings over the past week.

“They’re two good players. They’re starters. Excellent players,” Venables said two weeks ago. “Jake touches the ball every snap. There’s a lot of impact and influence and things that guys does, and R Mason is one of the more explosive defensive players in the country. If they can play, they can play. If they can’t, they can’t. That’s football. It’s late in the year. They’ve got guys that are down. That’s just part of the game.”

Obviously, if OU could get both guys back, it’d be a huge boost.

Thomas, who was a first-team All-SEC selection, has been arguably Oklahoma’s best defensive player this season. He’s totaled 23 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Maikkula has been an anchor on the offensive line, starting 10 games at center this season. If he weren’t able to play, senior right guard Febechi Nwaiwu would move over to center and true freshman Ryan Fodje would slide in at right guard.

There will be another availability report released on Wednesday night by the College Football Playoff.

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