Oklahoma’s Justin Harrington Bringing Versatility to the Secondary

Early in preseason camp, Justin Harrington’s versatility has been on full show.

After coming into the switch portal final season after which getting a second likelihood with the group this spring, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables instructed Harrington he’d need to earn his method again onto the sphere.

Via spring observe and summer season exercises, defensive coordinator Ted Roof mentioned Harrington was a sponge, working as exhausting as he may to be taught the brand new protection and soak up all of the teaching from the brand new employees.

And Roof isn’t the one one who has been impressed with Harrington’s work.

Venables himself pointed to the work the defensive again has put in, highlighting how Harrington’s distinctive skillset may be an asset to the Oklahoma protection this season.

“I like his versatility,” Venables mentioned throughout a press convention on Wednesday. “He’s massive. He’s lengthy. He’s athletic. Bought good instincts, sudden, explosive, he’s rangy.”

Standing 6-foot-3 and 208 kilos, Harrington is the tallest defensive again on the group.

A clean athlete, his measurement and physicality brings a special aspect to the again finish of OU’s protection.

Final week, Roof mentioned Harrington is a reputation the Sooners are taking a look at for the cheetah place, as his measurement and protection abilities would permit him to deal with each the duties of a nickel nook and an undersized linebacker at that spot.

He’ll have loads of competitors, nevertheless, as Roof mentioned veteran defensive again Justin Broiles, North Carolina switch Trey Morrison and true freshman linebacker Jaren Kanak are additionally getting snaps on the cheetah place.

As soon as rated as the most effective junior faculty security within the nation by 247 Sports activities, Harrington arrived at Oklahoma forward of the 2020 season with massive expectations.

However simply as fall camp was getting underway in 2020, the Raleigh, NC, product was sidelined with a beforehand undiagnosed knee damage that required surgical procedure and value him the complete season.

Final yr, Harrington failed to interrupt into the tight secondary rotation earlier than opting to hit the switch portal after 4 video games.

Although he principally performed nook final yr, Venables mentioned Harrington may get a shot at a couple of totally different spots all around the area this season.

“He can play man. Can play zone. Soccer’s straightforward for him,” Venables mentioned. “Bought a giant sturdy dwell physique. And so we’re gonna have a look at a number of positions. Not all people can try this and nonetheless play at a reasonably excessive stage. So we’re attempting to develop depth and variety inside the scheme.

“And he’s a kind of gamers we really feel like goes to have the ability to give us some place flexibility.”

Harrington must proceed to earn an even bigger position on the observe area, however he’s on a path to lastly realizing his potential for the Crimson and Cream in 2022. 

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