Most college football fans already assumed things were better in Oklahoma than across the border at Arkansas, but new OU offensive tackle E’Marion Harris just confirmed it and will also be the biggest beneficiary of the difference.
Harris transferred from Arkansas to Oklahoma over the offseason for his fifth year, and after practice recently was asked point blank about the differences between the two programs.
“Guys here like to work,” Harris answered with a grin. “Them boys work here. I love it. I can see a difference. It was just, the competition and everything is just better here.”
"Guys here like to work... the competition is just better here."
— Evan Kamikow (@emkamikow) August 7, 2026
E'Marion Harris has been in the SEC since 2023 when he started at Arkansas. The Little Rock native sees a massive difference between the work ethic in Fayetteville vs. Norman. #BoomerSooner
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Sooners will benefit from best version of E’Marion Harris
There was never any doubt that Oklahoma is a tier (or more) above Arkansas. That’s why the Sooners have already found more success in just two years in the SEC than the Razorbacks have in 34 years. It’s also why a player like Harris would leave Arkansas for Oklahoma despite being a starter for both programs in the same conference. It was by no means a lateral move.
Harris started 24 games for the Razorbacks in the last two seasons before transferring ahead of his fifth and final year. He allowed three sacks on 400 pass-blocking snaps in 2025, so Harris not only comes to OU with SEC experience while playing in the conference since 2023, but has already proven himself in SEC trenches. He’s expected to start at right tackle for the Sooners along an offensive line that returns four starters.
Read more: Predicting Oklahoma's 2026 depth chart heading into fall camp
Harris is not only projected to start, but the Sooners should also get the best version of Harris yet. Not only because of his experience, but for the exact reasons he mentioned. That’s what makes the Sooners better because it makes their players better, even in as little as seven months. Iron sharpens iron, and things are pretty dull in Arkansas right now.
During the same interview, Harris gushed about the work ethic of fellow offensive linemen Michael Fasusi and Jake Maikkula. Having that right next to him and in the same room has pushed Harris to be better. Even though Fasusi is only a sophomore, Harris admitted he still learns things from him, even entering his fifth year.
Read more: E’Marion Harris just said what Oklahoma fans have waited to hear about Sooners' run game
Then there’s also what’s on the other side of the trenches. Harris now, every day at practice, has to face what was one of the best defensive lines in all of college football last year. Coming off the edge, he has to deal with the likes of Taylor Wein, Adepoju "P.J." Adebawore and Danny Okoye.
That’s the exact level of talent Harris will have to stop on a weekly basis during SEC play, if not even better. Wein was Second-Team All-SEC last year while leading the Sooners with seven sacks. Adebawore, a former five-star recruit, and Okoye were contributing depth pieces to a defense that led the country in sacks per game. There's also five-star freshman Jake Kreul in the mix.
“It’s been great,” Harris said. “They work. We all push each other every day, try to get each other better, and just never taking days off, plays off. Always working.”
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