Crimson Countdown: No. 37 Justin Harrington
The Crimson Countdown is officially on for the 2023 Oklahoma football season. It’s the second season under head coach Brent Venables and expectations are high once again. The Sooners are looking to rebound from the uncharacteristic 6-7 season in 2022.
Every day as we get closer to kickoff, SoonerScoop.com will count down the days with you. Starting with No. 99 and working our way to No. 0, we’ll be there every step of the way.
Crimson Countdown: No. 37 Justin Harrington
2022 stats: 23 tackles (11 solo), 22-yard interception return, and two pass break-ups.
2023 outlook: In an area of crazy paths to playing time around college football few can match Justin Harrington‘s. Originally a North Carolina product he was signed in Oklahoma’s 2020 class as one of the nation’s premier junior college prospects.
Midway through the 2021 season he entered the portal and seemed destined to be a case of ‘what might have been’. However, after Brent Venables‘s arrival in Norman Harrington requested to return to the team and Venables allowed him to do so.
Harrington had a solid 2022 making an impact as a replacement. Now in 2023 he looks to be battling Dasan McCullough for the starting job. And while that may be something of an uphill battle the Sooners staff has spoken glowingly about Harrington and his ability to impact the Sooners for the last year.
2023 Cheetah linebacker outlook:
OU will look to replace last year’s cheetah, DaShaun White, with redshirt senior Justin Harrington and Indiana transfer Dasan McCullough. Harrington offers more experience, playing in 17 games in the last seasons at Oklahoma. But McCullough was one of the top transfer portal targets in the country. At Indiana as a freshman, McCullough totaled 6.5 tackles for loss and four sacks, earning freshman All-American honors from ESPN. Cheetah will be a position to watch in fall camp, as Harrington and McCullough battle for the starting spot.
