Trell Harris is already separating himself in loaded Sooners transfer class

Of the 16 players the Oklahoma Sooners added from the Transfer Portal this offseason, ESPN college football writer Max Olson believes one stands above the rest.

Olson on Tuesday picked the best Transfer Portal addition for each team that was included in ESPN's way-too-early top 25 and deemed former Virginia wide receiver Trell Harris as the No. 12 Sooners' top get from the portal ahead of the 2026 season.

ESPN's Max Olson tabs Trell Harris as Oklahoma's most important transfer

"The Sooners were looking to upgrade their weapons in the passing game around John Mateer during the portal window and got a lot accomplished with the addition of wideouts Harris, Parker Livingstone (Texas), Mackenzie Alleyne (Washington State) and tight ends Rocky Beers (Colorado State), Hayden Hansen (Florida) and Jack Van Dorselaer (Tennessee)," Olson wrote.

Harris was an underrated transfer win for Virginia in 2024 out of Kent State, where he made just five starts in 2023. He then played in only four games in 2024 because of an injury, but exploded in 2025 to lead Virginia with 59 receptions and 847 yards, plus tying for a team-high with five touchdowns. He was named Third-Team All-ACC after the season before entering the portal as a top-20 prospect at the position.

Now that Virginia unlocked Harris last season, he's not entering his time in Oklahoma quietly.

Olson didn't dive into much detail on why he believed Harris is more valuable than the Sooners' other portal additions, but Harris was No. 2 when I ranked the future impact of OU's transfers less than two weeks ago before I also predicted Harris to lead the Sooners in receiving yards next season. Harris was also one of three transfers mentioned that can revitalize the Sooners' offense in 2026, as well as tight end Rocky Beers and fellow receiver Parker Livingstone.

Spring ball hasn't even started yet in Oklahoma, but Harris is already standing out among all of the Sooners' newcomers.