In just a few years, the Oklahoma Sooners have turned their defensive line into a strength. That was the promise of Brent Venables arrival and he and assistant coaches Todd Bates and Miguel Chavis have delivered.
It took work in the transfer portal and on the recruiting trail, but 2024 delivered the production that college football has come to expect from a Brent Venables defense.
Defensive end is a dynamic group led by the return of R Mason Thomas, who certainly could have turned pro and been selected in the 2025 NFL draft. Beyond Thomas, though, Chavis has put together a tough, athletic, and long group that will create nightmares for opposing offensive lines.
As we’ve done over the last month, here’s a look at our defensive end preview and projected depth chart.
Starter – R Mason Thomas
R Mason Thomas was part of Venables and Chavis’ first recruiting class. Originally committed to Iowa State, Thomas flipped to the Sooners just before the February signing day in 2022. Thomas battled injuries his first couple of seasons in Norman, but the talent was evident. Every time he stepped on the field, he flashed incredible speed off the edge and made a splash.
Potential turned to production in 2024 as Thomas led the Sooners with nine sacks, six of which came in SEC play. If football had a closer, Thomas was Mariano Rivera for the Sooners. He came through in crunch time of several games to help the Sooners close out wins against Auburn and Alabama and nearly did the same thing against Missouri before a miracle 3rd and 16 conversion set up the Tigers game-tying score. On that play, Thomas was triple-teamed, putting on display the immense respect offensive coordinators have for his ability off the edge.
Heading into 2025, the expectations remain high for Thomas, who has become one of the best pass rushers in college football.
Starter – Marvin Jones, Jr.
The Oklahoma Sooners made a splash in the transfer portal by adding former five-star prospect Marvin Jones Jr. from Florida State. After stops with the Seminoles and, previously, the Georgia Bulldogs, Jones is looking to build off of a five-sack season in 2024.
The talent is there, and he has the size and length to be a difference-maker on the Sooners’ defensive line. In 2024, Jones set career highs in sacks, pressures, and snaps and earned the best defensive grade from Pro Football Focus of his career.
Backups – Adepoju Adebawore and Taylor Wein
One of the top players in the 2023 recruiting class, all eyes are on Adepoju Adebawore to take the step to become the difference maker everyone expected him to be when he was rated a five-star prospect in the cycle. Like Thomas, injuries have limited Adebawore’s development and opportunity. He’s been healthy this offseason, and the opportunity is there for Adebawore to earn a significant role in the Sooner defensive end rotation.
Taylor Wein made some noise in spring ball and could be in line for an increased role in 2025. In 2024, Wein saw 34 snaps over five games, with a season high 23 snaps against Maine. Against the Black Bears, he recorded four total pressures. At 6-foot-4 and 269 pounds, he has the size to set the edge in the run game and showed some pass rush prowess in limited opportunities last season.
Reserves – Danny Okoye and Wyatt Gilmore
A pair of former four-star prospects in the 2024 recruiting class, Danny Okoye and Wyatt Gilmore will see increased opportunities to develop in 2025. Both players red-shirted last year but, with a strong fall camp, could push for a significant role on the defense.
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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: OU Football Defensive Ends led by return of R Mason Thomas