Oklahoma Sooners have made an important decision after realizing they are competing with Lincoln Riley

Sooners and Trojans to visit with Elija Harmon in a few weeks

Elija Harmon, one of the best 2027 defensive tackles in the country, is being projected to land with Lincoln Riley and the USC Trojans. He’s from Inglewood, California, so that does make sense. But that one team doesn’t mean that the Sooners can’t snag him away from the program’s previous head coach.

In fact, Oklahoma is making a big impression on him. 

“My favorite things about OU are the way Coach (Todd) Bates develops the defensive line position and the services they provide off the field, such as faith, academics, and careers outside of football,” Harmon told Rivals. “Oklahoma seems like they are making all of the right moves to be a top team in the SEC, so that’s definitely an eye opener for me. My favorite things about USC are that I’ll have a chance to play in my city with my friends for a team that I grew up a fan of, also I have a great relationship with their coaching staff.”

Harmon is a player that the Sooners like a lot. To me, he reminds me a bit of the high school version of Jayden Jackson, who is a starter for the Sooners, and was last year as a freshman. He has a smaller height, but still a big frame with good burst at the three technique and nose tackle spots. Harmon will have to be a technician at the next level, and he has the tools to do that.

The four-star, 12th-ranked defensive lineman in the 2027 class is set to visit with the Trojans, his hometown team, for their season opener against Montana State in Week 1. After that, he will be in Norman the weekend after to visit the Sooners as they take on Michigan.

So, yeah, the Sooners are competing with their former head coach, Lincoln Riley, who’s been on fire in recruiting the last few years.