Oklahoma EDGE rusher R Mason Thomas has a unique knack at getting after the quarterback. He also has a rather unique first name.

His given name is R Mason, and the R is an abbreviation for ... well, nothing. It's just there. No period, just R.

The story behind it is Thomas' mother's family has a history of men with names starting with "R," though Thomas' mother liked the name Mason. To continue the tradition while also picking the name she liked, Thomas' mother settled on R Mason for the future Oklahoma star.

Thomas went by Mason until embracing the R during his junior year of high school. That turned out to be quite the year for Thomas, as he led Cardinal Gibbons (Fla.) to a 2020 Class 4A state title.

At Oklahoma, Thomas saved his best two seasons for his last. He recorded a combined 15.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and 21.5 TFLs across his junior and senior campaigns. Those efforts have led him to be a projected Day 2 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Thomas hopes to follow in the footsteps of Nik Bonitto, another South Florida native and Oklahoma alum who has developed into one of the NFL's most productive pass rushers.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why NFL Draft prospect R Mason Thomas has 1 letter in first name