Trio of Oklahoma Sooners among best true freshmen of the 21st century
Writer Chris Hummer listed Perine at No. 16, Harris at No. 7, and Peterson at No. 3. All three were named All-Americans during their time with the Sooners.
Perine debuted in 2014 and immediately set an FBS record. In Oklahoma's 44-7 win over Kansas in November that season, Perine ran for the record 427 yards with five touchdowns. His 1,713 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns that season led FBS and rank as the fourth-best single-season rushing performance in Oklahoma history. The 21 touchdowns are tied for the third most.
Harris' dominance came on the other side of the ball as the defensive tackle proved a stalwart in the center of the Sooners' unit.
"Reigning national champion Oklahoma had the most feared defense in college football entering 2001, and Harris pushed into the starting lineup right away," Toppmeyer wrote. "He'd finish his debut season with 32 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks, helping the Sooners to finish in the top five of yards per play (3rd), scoring defense (4th) and rushing yards allowed per carry (5th). Oklahoma wouldn't repeat but it finished the season at 11-2."
Peterson became the first freshman running back to finish as Heisman Trophy runner-up in NCAA history after his debut season in 2004. His 1,925 yards rushing remain an Oklahoma record, as do his nine-straight 100-yard games. Peterson ran for 225 yards against No. 5 Texas in a 12-0 win that helped the Sooners to a perfect regular-season record, with the team's only loss coming in the national championship to Southern California.
Toppmeyer selected Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence as the No. 1 true freshman and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith at No. 2.
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