See if this sounds crazy to you: Oklahoma loses the nation's best DB (Roy Williams) and the best linebacker (Rocky Calmus) and they're gonna be better in 2002? That's what coach Bob Stoops thinks. He says they'll certainly be faster.

The biggest reason why OU tops some preseason polls is 6-foot-3, 287-pound sophomore man-child Tommie Harris. Last season, the powerhouse DT led OU in QB hurries with 14 and finished second with 17 tackles for losses. And Sooner defensive coordinator Mike Stoops says Harris is just getting started.

	OU's Andre Woolfolk is among the best DBs in the country.

"He's added 15 pounds," he says, "so he'll become an even more physical player."

Scary thought. Harris not only has 4.67 speed, but also may have the strongest mitts in college football. "He's got it all: speed, quickness, explosiveness, the change of direction," says Mike Stoops. "He's the kind you look at and just say 'Damn, that's what they're supposed to look like.'"

As he has the past three years, Harris spent the summer in Houston at trainer Danny Arnold's gym, working out with dozens of NFL players. Working along side vets like Hollis Thomas, Casey Hampton and cousin Stockar McDougle, Harris has been able to pick up tips on bettering his leverage and honing pass-rush moves and different ways to shed blockers. "Tommie's not only got incredible strength and explosiveness," says Arnold, "but he also knows how to use it and how to create that explosive force."

Expect the Sooners to shift Harris around a lot, especially in passing situations to try and avoid double- and triple-teaming. He is joined in a fierce eight-deep rotation. "We've got so much talent up front, it's amazing," says OU's All-American TE Trent Smith.

	Woolfolk Chat
	Check out what OU cornerback Andre Woolfolk had to say in chat on Wednesday, August 14.

Even though the Butkus-winning Calmus is gone, landing JC star Lance Mitchell, who Mike Stoops compares to former Sooner standout Torrance Marshall, softens the blow. "He's much further along than Torrance was at this stage," Mike Stoops says.

The City College of San Francisco transfer originally signed with Florida and enrolled there, but then found out he'd be ineligible to play in the SEC. So the 6-3, 245-pound linebacker ended up in Norman, along with fellow CCSF teammate Pasha Jackson, another speedy 'backer who figures to replace Brandon Moore.

Teddy Lehman shifts into Calmus' old spot and is actually bigger and faster. Playing inside, Lehman was required to take on more blockers and work in the middle. Now, he will be expected to work in space, making more open-field tackles, covering backs in the flat and doing more blitzing. "Teddy will be in a position to make more plays than what he was a year ago," says OU linebacker coach and co-defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "I think he'll really flourish in that position."

The absence of Williams should hurt their run support, but with a stronger front four and the development of SS Eric Bassey, a guy who lacks Williams' experience but adds 4.32 speed, OU will still be solid. Truth is, the Sooners actually have three legit Thorpe candidates, Derrick Strait, Brandon Everage and shut-down corner Andre Woolfolk, who Mike Stoops says will be this season's Quentin Jammer -- a big, physical 6-1, 200-pound guy who can run 4.35 and take away a third of the football field.

Put it all together and, you know, maybe Bob Stoops isn't so crazy after all.

Bruce Feldman covers college football for ESPN The Magazine. He can be reached at bruce.feldman@espnmag.com.