Crimson Countdown: No. 14 Elijah Thomas

The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2025 Oklahoma football season. Everybody wants to forget about 2024 and move forward.

Head coach Brent Venables and staff have attempted to do that. New face calling the offense (Ben Arbuckle). Venables calling the defense, it’s now or never for this regime at OU in the SEC. No beating around the bush.

Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 99 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.

Crimson Countdown: No. 14 Elijah Thomas

2024 stats: N/A

2025 outlook:

The wide receiver room needed a jolt of energy and fresh faces in 2025. Thomas emphatically checks both those boxes and then some.

Thomas is someone who went from being a nice little spring and preseason camp story to now wondering if he’s going to be among the starting receivers for OU on Day 1.

His ability to make plays is something that cannot be denied. It’s not an accident if it happens one scrimmage after another or one competitive period after another.

We don’t know what the depth chart might look like once Javonnie Gibson is completely healthy and back in the fold. However, Thomas has certainly stamped himself as someone who deserves meaningful reps and not just against Illinois State.

The 2025 receiver class wasn’t very big in quantity, but Thomas sure is bringing the quality.

2025 wide receiver outlook

OU has totally revamped its wide receiver room this season. The Sooners lost six receivers to the transfer portal. But they added seven new guys, five from the portal and two true freshmen. They also return Deion Burks, who was expected to be their top receiver last season before he suffered several injuries. The biggest question for OU at receiver is can they stay healthy? The Sooners spent most of last season battling the injury bug. They’re hopeful the new additions will have better luck.