Elijah Thomas on his growth: 'I'm coming for it'

Oklahoma Sooners general manager Jim Nagy brought in wide receiver transfers Trell Harris and Parker Livingstone to bolster the team's playmakers in 2026. However, the player who is currently gaining significant attention during fall camp is second-year wide receiver Elijah Thomas. Thomas, who logged only eight tackles on special teams last season, now aims to make a substantial impact on the offensive side of the ball.

Thomas shared his transformational journey during an interview with members of the media. He attributed his growth to "massive maturation" and explained that he has fundamentally changed his process and mindset. In 2026, Thomas will be entering the season with a markedly different opportunity than he had as a freshman. Now, he is poised to become a contributing member of Oklahoma's passing game, joining the new additions Harris and Livingstone.

The Sooners' offensive success, which ranked 92nd nationally in total offense last season, may rely significantly on the development of their returning players, including Thomas.

Thomas' enhanced confidence and maturity could solidify his future role as an additional option at wide receiver if he can continue to translate his growth into tangible production. Oklahoma's offensive success in 2026 will depend on a multitude of factors, including how well the team adjusts after ranking low in total offense the previous year.

However, Thomas's development has made him a compelling player to monitor during the final stages of the offseason. Should he live up to expectations, Thomas could emerge as a legitimate offensive playmaker, providing an extra target for quarterback Baker Mateer and making the Sooners' defense even more challenging to cope with.