NORMAN - By the time Oklahoma offensive tackle E’Marion Harris finished the third practice of preseason camp Friday, the heat had already done its work. Sweat was pouring, the morning had turned sticky, and Bill Bedenbaugh was keeping the pressure on his offensive line.
For Harris, the message in the room is simple.
“Just everybody coming in, day to day, just setting their mindset like ‘We’re going to run the damn ball,’” Harris said. “That’s our No. 1 thing in the offensive line room is running the damn ball.”
That mission matters after Oklahoma averaged just 118.5 rushing yards per game last season. The Sooners are banking on the line taking a real step forward, and Harris is part of the reason there’s optimism around that group heading into 2026.
He has already bought in to the way Bedenbaugh coaches.
“It’s been great,” Harris said of learning under Bedenbaugh. “I love him, man.
I love that man. I’d die for him.
He’s just a great coach, pushes you every day, and you just want to go hard for him.”
Harris arrives in Norman with a sturdy SEC résumé, having started 24 games over the last two seasons at Arkansas. He’s seen enough football to know the difference between programs, and he didn’t need long to notice the standard inside Oklahoma’s building.
“Guys here like to work,” Harris said. “Them boys work here.
I love it. I just - I can see a difference.
Just the competition and everything is just better here.”
At Arkansas, Harris split his time between right tackle and right guard. Oklahoma has a clear spot in mind for him, and Bedenbaugh likes what he brings.
“He’s fit in really well with the group,” Bedenbaugh said. “...
He could play multiple positions. He’s a smart guy.
He’s had success. He’s been well coached before he got here.
He’s done a great job of fitting in.”
Harris is expected to settle in at right tackle, joining a line that also includes Michael Fasusi on the left side opposite him, Eddy Pierre-Louis and Ryan Fodje at the guard spots and Jake Maikkula at center.
Bedenbaugh said the offseason work has already shown up.
"It's been really good," Bedenbaugh said of his group's offseason. "We're better than when we ended spring and that's just the thing - we've just got to continue to keep improving."
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