Stormin in Norman
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Oklahoma football: Top-10 Sooner football recruits (2000-present)

By Brandon Self

Dec 28, 2019; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; View of the eye tape on Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (2) before the 2019 Peach Bowl college football playoff semifinal game between the LSU Tigers and the Oklahoma Sooners at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2019; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; View of the eye tape on Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (2) before the 2019 Peach Bowl college football playoff semifinal game between the LSU Tigers and the Oklahoma Sooners at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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3. Tommie Harris – Defensive tackle – Recruiting class of 2001

TUSCALOOSA, AL – SEPTEMBER 6: Quarterback Brodie Croyle #12 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is sacked by Tommie Harris #97 of the Oklahoma Sooners in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Oklahoma defeated Alabama 20-13. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images).
TUSCALOOSA, AL – SEPTEMBER 6: Quarterback Brodie Croyle #12 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is sacked by Tommie Harris #97 of the Oklahoma Sooners in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Oklahoma defeated Alabama 20-13. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images). /

Tommie Harris was built differently. Tommie was a consensus 5-star defensive tackle out of Killeen, Texas. He was ranked as the No. 6 overall player in the nation and the top-ranked high school football player in Texas as a recruit, according to 247Sports. Tommie was one of the biggest recruiting hauls in Sooner history.

He immediately lived up to expectations in Norman by becoming one of the only true freshmen in Sooner history to start in every game of his freshman season. While in Norman, Tommie attained 34 career tackles for loss (nobody has more in Sooner history since 2005, according to si.com). Harris’s list of accolades is extensive, including Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year (2001), three-time first-team All-Big 12 (every year he was in Norman…), a two-time consensus first-team All-American (2002, 2003), and the Lombardi Award winner in 2003.

In 2009, Tommie was named to the Sports Illustrated All-Decade College Football Team. Tommie was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft, where he continued his gridiron success. While in the NFL, he amassed 231 tackles, 31.5 sacks, and 6 forced fumbles. He also was named to 3 Pro Bowl rosters and one All-Pro selection.

Like many other Sooners on this list, Tommie is beloved by the fanbase. Tommie’s work ethic and physical dominance were apparent while in Norman. Although listed as number three on this list, Tommie has a legitimate argument for a higher ranking. Still, these next two players were just THAT GOOD.

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