Tommie Harris to enter NFL draft

NORMAN, Okla., Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Tommie Harris of Oklahoma, considered one of the nation's best, will forego his final year of college eligibility and enter the NFL draft.

Harris, a likely first-round draft pick, won the Lombardi Award this past season as the top defensive tackle in the country and was a consensus All-American.

"I'd never tell a guy to come back," said Coach Bob Stoops. "That's not my style. I want what's best for him and his family. He's done a great job here. We appreciate him and wish him the best."

The 290-pound Harris, a native of Killeen, Texas, anchored one of the nation's stingiest defenses, compiling 37 tackles, five sacks, and one fumble recovery.

Not everyone is convinced even though Harris is projected as a high draft choice.

"He needs to become more consistent and dominate on an every-down basis in order to realize his potential," Houston-based draft handicapper Warren DeLuca told the Norman Transcript.