In its 40th year of honoring the nations most elite high school athletes, Gatorade today announced Elijah Thomas of Checotah High School is the 2024-25 Gatorade Oklahoma Football Player of the Year. Thomas is the first Gatorade Oklahoma Football Player of the Year to be chosen from Checotah High School.

“All I can do is give Jesus Christ all the glory and praise for this achievement I’ve accomplished. All praise to the most high,” Checotah senior Elijah Thomas said.

Gatorade Player of the Year is the top honor in high school sports, celebrating the nation’s best high school athletes for their success on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. The award distinguishes Thomas as Oklahoma’s best high school football player, and he joins an impressive group of alumni that spans CEOs, coaches, and star athletes such as Emmitt Smith (1986-87, Escambia High School, FL), Peyton Manning (1993-94, Isidore Newman School, LA), and DJ Lagway (2023-24, Willis High School, Texas).

The 6-foot-2, 194-pound senior wide out and free safety amassed more than 2,400 yards of total offense this past season, pulling down 72 receptions for 1,803 yards and 26 touchdowns and leading the Wildcats (85) to the Class 3A semifinals. Ranked as the nation’s No. 130 prospect in his class by Rivals. com, Thomas also rushed for 406 yards and 10 scores in addition to returning six kickoffs for a 39-yard average and a touchdown. On defense, he recorded 82 tackles, four interceptions, eight passes defended, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.

Thomas has donated countless hours to local youth football camps for the past five years in addition to serving as the mascot at pep rallies in the elementary school. He has also served as a personal mentor for struggling students at the middle school. Thomas has participated in community trash pickup days as well and has volunteered by cleaning up the stadium after games. “Elijah Thomas is an absolute gem,” said Larry Newton, head coach of Eufaula High School. “He is an outstanding human being. He represents his school, town, county, and state like no other player can. He’s also the best football player I’ve seen in a long while.”

Thomas has maintained a 3.27 GPA in the classroom. At the time of his selection, he had made a verbal commitment to receive athletic aid to play football at the University of Oklahoma next fall.

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states across 12 different high school sports.

Thomas signed his letter of intent to play football for the University of Oklahoma on December 4, 2024.