‘Athletic Freak’ Elijah Thomas Impresses Early, Quickly Picking Up Oklahoma Offense and Drawing Praise From Sooners Coaching Staff and Teammates

The Oklahoma Sooners might have landed a gem in wide receiver Elijah Thomas. Just a few practices into his time in Norman, the electrifying freshman wideout is already making waves for how fast he’s grasping the playbook and adjusting to college-level football.

Thomas, often referred to as an “athletic freak” by scouts and coaches alike, is showcasing not only his elite physical tools but also a cerebral approach to the game that has impressed head coach Brent Venables and offensive coordinator Seth Littrell. As Oklahoma looks to build momentum toward the 2025 season, the former Checotah (Okla.) star is positioning himself as a potential impact player in a crowded but talented wide receiver room.

Rapid Development in Norman

When Elijah Thomas signed with Oklahoma, fans were excited. A consensus four-star recruit, Thomas was known for his blazing speed, 6-foot-1 frame, and explosive vertical leap. He dominated at the high school level, racking up 1,500+ receiving yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior while also excelling on defense and special teams. But even those lofty expectations didn’t fully prepare the Sooners for how ready Thomas would be from Day 1.

“He’s a sponge,” said Littrell after a recent summer workout. “Some guys come in needing a redshirt year to adjust to the speed and complexity of college ball. Elijah? He’s adjusting in real time. He picks things up fast, asks smart questions, and makes the kinds of plays that turn heads. That’s rare.”

Teammates have echoed the praise. Quarterback Jackson Arnold noted that Thomas has already developed strong chemistry with the offense and is quickly becoming a reliable target in 7-on-7 drills.

“He runs routes like a veteran,” said Arnold. “His cuts are sharp, his hands are solid, and he knows how to find the soft spot in the zone. He’s going to be special.”

Learning the Playbook Like a Pro

Much of Oklahoma’s optimism surrounding Thomas stems from how quickly he’s mastering the offense. With Littrell implementing a blend of uptempo spread principles and pro-style concepts, the playbook is far from simple. But Thomas, according to multiple reports, is already familiar with a majority of the route tree and has even been lining up in multiple positions — outside, inside, and even occasionally in motion as a decoy.

“He’s more than just fast,” said wide receivers coach Emmett Jones. “Elijah processes the game quickly. That’s the separator between good and great. He’s studying film, staying late, working on his blocking, asking for extra reps. You don’t see that from every freshman.”

Jones noted that Thomas already understands how to read defenses pre-snap and adjust his routes accordingly — a skill that often takes players a full season or more to develop.

“We had one practice where he read the safety rolling down, broke his route off, and found open space. That’s stuff you see on Sundays,” Jones added.

Physical Traits That Pop

While Thomas’s mental acumen is a revelation, his physical gifts are what initially caught the attention of recruiters. At Oklahoma’s summer workouts, he’s been clocked at sub-4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash and has a 38-inch vertical leap. His acceleration is elite, allowing him to separate from defenders quickly and threaten deep on every snap.

At 6’1″, 190 pounds, Thomas also possesses the strength to battle for contested catches and block downfield — a crucial trait in Littrell’s offensive system that values perimeter blocking from its receivers.

“He’s just a different kind of athlete,” said a team source. “You see some guys who are fast. You see others who are strong. Elijah is both, and he has fluidity to his movements that’s rare. He glides when he runs.”

His route-running ability has also stood out. Scouts praised him in high school for his smooth footwork and advanced releases at the line of scrimmage, and those skills have translated seamlessly to the college level.

Competition Heating Up in Receiver Room

Oklahoma’s wide receiver group is one of the deepest on the roster heading into 2025. With veterans like Andrel Anthony and Nic Anderson leading the way, plus promising sophomores and a few other heralded freshmen, playing time won’t be handed to anyone.

But Thomas is making a case early for real snaps. Coaches are exploring packages that could utilize his skillset in multiple ways — not just as a wide receiver but also as a jet-sweep option, returner, and even in two-back sets as a decoy or motion threat.

“Right now, we’re seeing how much he can handle,” Littrell said. “The more we give him, the more he excels. That’s a good problem to have.”

Still, Venables has cautioned against placing too much pressure on the freshman too early.

“We love what we’re seeing from Elijah,” Venables said. “But he’s got to keep his head down and keep working. This program is built on competition, and he knows that. He’s off to a great start, but he’ll earn his place the right way.”

The Bigger Picture for Oklahoma’s Offense

With the SEC era beginning in 2025, Oklahoma’s offense will need all the firepower it can get to compete with elite defenses like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. Having a versatile, explosive playmaker like Thomas ready to contribute right away could be a major asset.

The Sooners have shifted toward more physical, SEC-style football under Venables while maintaining their traditional speed and tempo. Thomas is the prototype for that hybrid approach — a tough, dynamic athlete who can win in multiple ways.

“SEC defenses are no joke,” Littrell said. “You need guys who can stretch the field vertically and horizontally. Elijah gives us that. He opens things up for everybody.”

If Thomas continues to ascend throughout fall camp, don’t be surprised to see him on the field early in Oklahoma’s 2025 campaign. Even in a deep receiver room, his ability to change the game in a single play might be too valuable to keep on the sidelines.

What’s Next?

The next few weeks will be telling. As Oklahoma enters the thick of preseason practice, coaches will start trimming rotations and installing the core of their offensive scheme. Thomas will need to continue making consistent plays and showing mastery of his assignments.

If he does, he could carve out a legitimate role — possibly even as a rotational starter by midseason. Whether or not that happens, one thing is clear: the Sooners are thrilled with what they’ve seen so far.

“Elijah Thomas is everything we hoped for and more,” said Jones. “He’s got the right attitude, the right skillset, and the right drive. That’s a dangerous combination.”

And if he continues on his current trajectory, Oklahoma fans might be talking about the “athletic freak” from Checotah as one of the next great Sooner receivers.