Sooners think that they may have already found their replacement for defensive tackle Gracen Halton
The Sooners think Bishop Thomas can be elite.
The Oklahoma Sooners quickly addressed the departure of defensive tackle Gracen Halton, now heading to the 2026 NFL Draft, by signing Georgia State transfer Bishop Thomas from the transfer portal.
The coaching staff believes Thomas can step into Halton’s role at OU, highlighting their confidence in his abilities and the importance of his addition.
Sooners love Bishop Thomas’ skill set
“Just the whole staff, and everyone that’s involved with the football program, they convinced me,” Thomas told SoonerScoop. “They were really family-oriented, and I was really attracted to that. I just felt comfortable with what (Bates) had planned for me. He had me playing a similar position to Gracen Halton and replacing him… I play smart, fast, and physical. I’m very aggressive running to the ball. They’re going to see. I let my play talk.”
Regular player movement defines today’s college football, with Oklahoma losing numerous players, including 28 to the transfer portal and more to the NFL Draft. The Sooners are already acting to rebuild. Thomas joins as a direct response to these departures, expected to make an impact if he matches Halton’s level.
Replicating Halton’s success won’t be easy. In 2025, Halton posted 30 pressures and five sacks and earned one of the team’s highest Pro Football Focus defensive grades at 84.7. These accomplishments will be difficult for anyone — especially one transitioning from the Sun Belt to the SEC — to match, so expectations for Thomas should be tempered despite optimism.
Thomas began his career with the Florida State Seminoles, transferred to Colorado for the 2023 season, and spent the last two years at Georgia State. Last season, he recorded 1.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss in 12 games. Stats don’t tell the full story. GSU struggled, and Thomas may have been singled out by opposing teams. Regardless, the Sooners are high on him.
This defensive line rebuild is coming along nicely, with Thomas and Ozowalu headlining their acquisitions there. The Sooners could still make a few more moves, too, as the transfer portal closes on Jan. 16.
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