Eli Lederman
Tulsa World
March 20, 2023 video. The Sooners end spring practice with the annual spring game April 22. Video by Eli Lederman, Tulsa World
NORMAN — There are few spring traditions more timeless and (more often than not) meaningless than the annual examination of a spring football camp roster and the routine dissection of updated measurables that comes with it.
Which underclassman tacked on weight through the offseason program? Who shed a bunch on his way to a position change? Which wide receiver grew an inch in the last three months?
Springtime conversations around new heights and weights often prove fruitless when fall Saturday’s roll around. But if there is a number worth noting around Oklahoma’s spring camp, it might be the new playing weight sophomore defensive lineman R Mason Thomas has returned with in 2023.
Thomas, who appeared in 10 games as a freshman last fall, opened spring practice this week at 239 pounds — up from 222 pounds he played at a year ago. And despite adding 17 pounds during his first offseason strength program in Norman, Thomas doesn’t believe he’s lost any speed, either.
“Maybe even faster, to be honest,” he told reporters this week. “It just feels good. (Strength coach Jerry Schmidt) don’t want to put on that bad weight — that junk-food weight. He wants to get us lean muscle mass. You see it. It feels like when you put on that muscle mass you feel like you’re even faster and explosive.”
Thomas returns this spring after tallying seven total tackles and one tackle for loss in 10 games with a 0.5 sack in the Sooners’ season-opening win over UTEP in 2022.
Ahead of his sophomore campaign in 2022, he finds himself in the mix with a wide cast of edge rushers that includes veteran returners Ethan Downs, Reggie Grimes, Jonah Laulu and Marcus Stripling and experienced transfers Trace Ford (Oklahoma State) and Rondell Bothroyd (Wake Forest).
That deep group could limit Thomas’ opportunities in 2023, but he remains a promising young piece within the defensive end depth OU has compiled this year and so sorely missed last fall. And comfortable and confident at his new weight, Thomas feels more prepared to compete ahead of his second season with the Sooners.
“The power you can generate … I’m not like 260, but that speed and power at the same time — you generate a lot of force,” he said. “It’s easier to have feel. At 220, I wasn’t knocking people back like that as much. Now at like 240, you get that punch. That power. It’s a lot better.”
Photos: OU spring football practice opens
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws in front of Jeff Lebby, rear, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma offensive analyst Seth Littrell, left, talks with Jeff Lebby, right, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof warms up with players during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma offensive analyst Seth Littrell during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma offensive analyst Seth Littrell during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback General Booty (14) throws in front of Jeff Lebby, left, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback General Booty (14) throws in front of Jeff Lebby, left, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws in front of Jeff Lebby, rear, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold throws in front of Jeff Lebby, rear, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma defensive end Trace Ford (30), a transfer from Oklahoma State, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma linebacker Shane Whitter during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma wide receivers coach Emmett Jones works with players during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. Wide receiver Gavin Freeman (82) is at left. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold throws in front of Jeff Lebby, rear, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman, left, works out as defensive coordinator Ted Roof, right, watches, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma wide receivers coach works with players during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. Wide receiver Gavin Freeman (82) is at left. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables works with players during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterbacks Jackson Arnold (10) and Davis Beville (11) during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma wide receivers Drake Stoops, left, and Jayden Gibson, right, work out during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklaoma defensive end Trace Ford, center, works out with teammates R Mason Thomas, left, and Adepoju Adebawore, right, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma linebacker Jozsef Pal (42) during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma linebacker Avery Burrow (52) during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback Davis Beville, left, throws in front of offensive analyst Seth Littrell, left, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold (10) throws during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma defensive back Owen Heinecke (38) during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback General Booty (14) warms up with teammates during warmups at an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws in front of Jeff Lebby, rear, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma linebacker Dasan McCullough (1) during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws in front of offensive analyst Seth Littrell, left, , during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback Davis Beville, left, throws in front of Jeff Lebby, center, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, and offensive analyst Seth Littrell, right, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback General Booty (14) throws during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma linebackers Danny Stutsman, left, and Kip Lewis, right, work out during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws in front of Jeff Lebby, rear, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback Davis Beville, left, throws in front of offensive analyst Seth Littrell, left, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables works with players during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma defensive linemen Rondell Bothroyd (80) and Trace Ford (30) during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback Davis Beville (11) throws during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback Jackson throws during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback General Booty (14) throws in front of Jeff Lebby, rear, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel throws during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman, right, participates in a drill as head coach Brent Venables watches at rear during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
Oklahoma Football
Oklahoma quarterback General Booty (14) throws in front of Jeff Lebby, rear, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, during an NCAA college football spring practice, Tuesday, March 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Sue Ogrocki
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