The emergence of R Mason Thomas last year paired nicely with the steady presence of Ethan Downs on the other end of Oklahoma’s defensive line. 

And while Thomas will be back in 2025 to terrorize SEC quarterbacks, the Sooners will have to replace Downs’ work, especially to set the edge and stop the run. 

Downs played 496 snaps lack year per Pro Football Focus, which ranked sixth on the defense and second amongst defensive lineman behind Thomas’ 529 snaps. 

The Weatherford, OK, product totaled 29 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and three sacks, and Downs also forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and tipped a pair of passes. 

Downs started 37 games over the last three years, and he’s been a constant along the defensive line under Brent Venables and defensive ends coach Miguel Chavis. 

The Sooners have a pair of incredibly athletic options who studied under Downs last year waiting for a larger role, but for different reasons, they didn’t see too much of the field in 2024. 

Adepoju Adebawore, a former 5-star recruit, had the start of his season derailed by a fluke ankle injury in 2024.

He sustained an injury during a walkthrough, which meant he had a slow start instead of building immediately on his freshman season. 

Adebawore logged three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and four quarterback hurries as a freshman in 2023, but he was only able to follow that up with 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack last year, and he played just 119 snaps. 

He was able to enter winter workouts feeling much more like himself, and Adebawore said he had gained 15 pounds from the end of last season to the end of March. 

Adebawore hopes that extra mass will allow him to continue to take steps forward, as he feels more and more comfortable in the defense now than he ever has before. 

“I’ve improved my knowledge of the game, awareness, situationally, physicality—all of the above when it comes to D-line play,” Adebawore said. “… (I’m) stronger, faster… It’s easier to shed a block. It’s easier to get knock back.”

Another piece who hopes to pair with Adebawore in Downs’ absence is redshirt freshman Danny Okoye. 

The 6-foot-3, 250-pound edge rusher from Tulsa played in just two games last year, but is one of the fastest linemen on Oklahoma’s roster. 

“Danny’s a beast,” Thomas said. “He’s always been athletic, but for him to get the calls and the plays down, know what he’s doing, he’s gonna be an even better player.”

Redshirt sophomore Taylor Wein also turned heads during spring practice after the 6-foot-4, 269-pounder played in 12 games a year ago.

OU also hit the portal to bring in some experience to help offset the loss of Downs. 

Marvin Jones Jr. transferred to Norman after stops at Georgia and Florida State throughout his career. 

Jones initially committed to the Bulldogs as a 5-star recruit as rated by 247Sports, and he has 41 career tackles and five sacks in 36 career appearances. 

“I love that guy,” Thomas said. 

The Sooners have plenty of options opposite of Thomas, and when paired with the interior of Oklahoma’s offensive line, OU’s front should be formidable again in 2025.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A large group joined a march from Scissortail Park to City Hall on a rainy Saturday morning to peacefully protest Trump’s “birthday celebration” featuring a large military parade in Washington, D.C.

The D.C. parade was intended to honor the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, but that purpose was overshadowed by the focus on Trump.

At the NO KINGS rally in Oklahoma City, several made speeches about their objections to the current practices of ICE, the recent sending of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, and the military parade in Washington, D.C., for what the crowd considered to be mostly about Trump’s birthday and not for the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army.

Indivisible OKC and 50501 organized the protest in Oklahoma. These groups also organized the “Hands Off!” protest that happened in April of this year.

Rory Bell, organizer for 50501 OK and state representative of PolRev (Political Revolution), was the first speaker to make the introduction to the pro-democracy crowd.

“We gather here not out of fear, but out of courage. Not out of hate, but out of love. Love for our communities, our neighbors, and the promise of democracy,” she began.

To Bell, this protest sends a clear message: “We don’t bow to wanna-be kings. This is America, and here, the people rule.”

She continued, “We’re part of a growing movement of everyday folks across the country. We are parents, we are veterans, students, workers, who are standing up to say: Enough. Enough of the power grabs. Enough of the lies. Enough of the attacks on our rights, our votes, and our voices.”

A speaker was introduced as “Nina”. She said, “Let’s be clear what we’re demanding. Not from one party, but from anyone who seeks to hold power in this country. We demand that people who seek to hold power in this country uphold the Constitution and the rule of law.”

“We demand to protect free and fair elections,” said Nina. “That means stopping voter suppression, that means stopping the intimidation and manipulation of our electoral system. We demand they defend our civil rights and civil liberties for all.”

“That means no to racism, that means no to xenophobia, that means no to transphobia, that means no to targeting people for their politics or their identities. We demand freedom of speech, protest, press, and equal protection under the law for everyone,” she stated.

Nina concluded, “…and we demand that they keep the military out of politics. Our troops swore an oath to the Constitution, not to any man, not to any political agenda. We say no to authoritarian displays in uniform and no lavish marches for tin-pot kings.”

Free Press spoke to protesters on the ground at the event.

Veteran speaks out

One protester lining up for the march from Scissortail Park to City Hall, Steven Vincent, is a veteran.

“I’m here today because I took an oath, when I joined the military, to protect and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” said Vincent. “I feel like America is on the precipice of a very dangerous situation with Trump in office. I think he’s a clear and present danger to our democracy and our Constitution, and I’m here to show that American patriots should be out protesting his policies and his people.”

‘Freedom is at risk’

Mandy Meyers told us what brought her out to the protest today.

“Well, as my sign says, there are too many things to put on my sign. Freedom is at risk right now. I do believe we are entering a civil war,” said Meyers.  “I really feel like we should be ready and not afraid. I think that Trump wants us to be afraid, and we are bigger than he is. There are way more Americans, way more people in the world that support us and want us to have freedom for everyone, immigrants, gays, trans, I don’t care what color you are, we all bleed red.

I work in healthcare, I see blood every day, everyone is red, and that is the bottom line. Honestly, this brings tears and joy standing here and seeing everyone coming together. I feel like our country has been so split for the last several years. To stand here, and actually see our American flags hasn’t had more meaning to me right now since it has since 9/11.”

‘Defending democracy’

Carlitos Corazon told Free Press, “I’m out here defending democracy, looking out for marginalized people. I don’t like the way some people are being used as scapegoats in our society to basically give permission to billionaires to do what they want and have free reign. I know that’s not the America I believe in. That’s why I’m here.”

Victor Ward also attended the event and shared his perspective.

“My wife has been to several of these, and I decided to come with her today,” Ward said. “It’s well worth it, big crowd, everything is very nice, nothing bad going on, and we have something to say to the President of the United States right now.”

Ward continued, “For me, he is not the President. He has made so many statements that are lies, he’s talked about so many things that Biden has done, which are so bad, which is another lie. He’s not for the American people as it has been for the past 200 years. He’s got his own agenda, and he wants to be a dictator, and at this point, he is, and he has a lot of people behind him. This is not what a majority of people want.”

“I’ve been in the service, I’ve spent my time, unlike ‘Bone-Spurs,’ and I’m very proud to be here, Ward told us. There’s a lot of things that could be done with somebody else in that position around the Oval Office. And I hope in the next four years there will be.”

Asked what he wants to see the protests accomplish, he said, “Let the president and his supporters see just exactly what’s going on, that we are not happy with what the President is doing with all of his shenanigans. He’s got a huge ego.”

Alex Gatley covers labor activities in the state of Oklahoma.

The momentum has shifted back in the favor of the Oklahoma City Thunder after winning a pivotal Game 4 in Indiana.

Now, the series heads back to the Thunder’s home court with it all tied at 2-2. As a result, the Thunder are once again set as significant favorites to win the NBA Finals, and as you’d expect, are big-time favorites in Game 5 on Monday night. Let’s take a look.

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

Spread

Moneyline

Total

The Thunder are set as 9.5-point favorites in Game 5, the same spread we saw in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. The spread ballooned up to -11.5 in favor of the Thunder for Game 2, but has fallen back down for the third game in Oklahoma City.

Both teams are 2-2 against the spread through the first four games of the series. The Pacers covered and won outright in both Game 1 and Game 3, while the Thunder managed to cover the number in both of their wins. Oklahoma City just barely covered the 6.5-point spread in Game 4, winning by seven in the last minute after an entire game of the score being inside the number.

It feels as if whichever team wins Game 5 will win the series. If the Thunder win, the Pacers will have to win two straight against a much more talented team. If the Pacers win, they’ll have a chance to capture the Larry O’Brien Trophy on their home court in Game 6.

Are you new to DraftKings? Sign up today and place a $5 bet to earn $300 in bonus bets if you win your initial bet. DraftKings will issue 12 $25 bonus bets.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.