R Mason Thomas explains his development as a student of the game

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Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman R Mason Thomas spoke with reporters after practice on Friday at Missouri Western State University. He discussed his development since college as a student of the game heading into his rookie season.

"I started building those habits at Oklahoma. I wasn't doing it freshman year because I just didn't know what I didn't know. Then once you start getting into the coaching staff room and hear what they are talking about," said Thomas, "Hats off to my position coach (Defensive End) Coach (Miguel) Chavis and Coach (Brent Venables) V. You start to get in their minds and see how they think. It's like ten set on third down, pass. Then you see the tight end demeanor, the tight end swap."

Thomas played in 42 college football games, collecting 65 total tackles and 17 sacks, earning AP second-team All-American honors.

"So, a lot of the things they see is what helps us as players. I know when I wasn't doing it, I wasn't playing as fast as I could, or I didn't know what I was doing. I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off," said Thomas. "So, those habits started building at Oklahoma. You can start finding those things, and it helps you better your game. If those things that I was pointing at early didn't help me then it would be a waste of time, but those things are the things that help you get better."

In his final college season, Thomas started 10 games, finishing with 26 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, a pass breakup, 2 forced fumbles, and a safety.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: R Mason Thomas explains his development as a student of the game

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