In its 40th year of honoring the nation’s 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.
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 (8-5) 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.
