Veteran Defensive Back Relishing Second Chance at Oklahoma

NORMAN — Oklahoma defensive back Justin Harrington's time in Norman almost came to an early end in 2021. 

After transferring to OU following a two-year stint at Bakersfield College, Harrington decided to leave the team and enter the transfer portal during the end of Lincoln Riley's tenure with the Sooners. 

When Brent Venables took over the team's head coaching job, Harrington asked the former Clemson defensive coordinator for another chance in Norman. Venables granted Harrington the opportunity to work his way back onto the team as a walk-on.

This is just one of many obstacles Harrington has had to hurdle in his career, but the redshirt senior from Raleigh, NC, has overcome these struggles to earn a starting spot on OU's week one depth chart.

Harrington was also named a captain for the Sooners' week one matchup against Arkansas State, indicating that the 6-foot-3 defensive back has taken strides as a leader since Venables and company arrived on campus. 

"I haven’t had a chance to really sit back and take it in," Harrington said after practice on Monday. "But I do have respect for it and that really just shows how my teammates care about me and what they think about me and what my coaches think about me as well. Because again, last year we talked about the role that I had wasn’t too big of a role. But just staying consistent and knowing my morals and values, being a natural leader. ... I take it really seriously, and, as you can see every day I’m running around, tapping people on the head, tapping people on the back, encouraging them. If they have a bad play, let it go, everybody has bad plays."

Last year, Harrington played in all 13 of the Sooners' contests, recording 22 tackles, two pass breakups and one interception. In 2021, Harrington was unable to find his role in former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch's defense, appearing in only four games and failing to record a stat.

Grinch and company attempted to play Harrington at both safety and cornerback, but struggled to find the right fit. During his first year on campus, the Southeast Raleigh High School alumni hurt his knee and underwent surgery, sidelining him for the entire 2020 season.

With the many setbacks that have plagued Harrington, it is impressive to see the versatile defender carve out a key role in Venables' defense. OU's week one depth chart listed Harrington as the team's starting Cheetah, a hybrid safety/linebacker position.

After a long offseason that has seen coaches and players shower Harrington with praise, Sooner Nation will finally be able to see what the former junior college transfer has to offer after the fanbase's initial excitement at his arrival three years ago. Since then, Harrington has been rumored to be a dominant force in camp multiple times, but hasn't been able to consistently crack the DB rotation on Saturdays. 

With Harrington's position as a starter and team captain, it seems that the veteran defensive back has finally blossomed into the player that OU fans thought he could be since getting to campus. 

Harrington is thankful for his second chance in Norman, saying that he has not taken this opportunity for granted.

"I made an impulsive decision, but I never knew (Brent Venables) was going to give me another chance," Harrington said. "That’s why everyday I just have respect and love for Coach V and his staff as well as my teammates to have me come back and not give me a role, but allow me to earn my role and allow me to earn the respect and trust of my teammates. And that’s why I’m very passionate about this season. I’m very passionate about this first game, because this is what’s going to be taped to my name. ... This is very important for me.”

In addition to finally hitting his stride on the field, Harrington has also stepped into a leadership role, mentoring some of the younger players that are trying to learn the Cheetah position. 

Dasan McCullough, a sophomore linebacker who transferred from Indiana to OU over the offseason, mentioned early in fall camp that Harrington was a player who had taken him under his wing. 

"Justin Harrington, for sure has," McCullough said. "Especially with him being a cheetah with the footwork and really getting to know the why -- why we do everything, why we line up like this and things of that nature. He’s been the biggest older guy to help me out."

With Harrington reportedly playing well throughout Oklahoma's spring and fall practices in addition to his role as a leader on the team, Harrington's journey with the Sooners has been remarkable.

Harrington began his collegiate career at a junior college, suffered a season-ending knee injury during his first year at OU, briefly left the team, stayed in Norman through a coaching change and returned to the team as a walk-on all before earning his first start with the Sooners. 

Now a redshirt senior, Harrington's hard work and determination will pay off, as the veteran has earned a starting spot and the designation of team captain.

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