‘I Believed in Me’: Kenneth Harris on Why He Stuck It Out at Oklahoma State

STILLWATER — After starting 18 games across three seasons at Arkansas State, Kenneth Harris hadn’t had much of an opportunity in Stillwater up until last offseason’s staff change.

Harris made his first start as a Cowboy in Oklahoma State’s Week 2 loss to Oregon. Harris had taken part in just 218 snaps in his first two seasons at OSU with most of those coming on special teams. He’s already played 96 snaps through OSU’s first two games in 2025, with all but 14 of those coming on defense.

In modern college athletics, it would’ve been perfectly normal for a player in Harris’ position to look elsewhere in order to get on the field, but Harris has a bit of an old-school mindset.

“I love Oklahoma State, and I believed in me,” Harris sad. “It’s simple. I love Oklahoma State. I love being here. And I just believed in me. I could’ve transferred, took the easy way out, went somewhere I could’ve played instantly, but it wasn’t about instant gratification. I wanted to prove myself. I wanted to prove that I can play here, so I stuck it out and I grinded hard. It paid off.”

A big piece in Harris making an impact in 2025 has to do with new defensive coordinator Todd Grantham’s scheme. Harris has switched from corner to OSU’s STAR position, which is essentially a nickel corner where players are expected to help in run support while being able to cover in the passing game.

Listed at 6-feet, 195 pounds, Harris was the second-heaviest corner on the Cowboys’ roster trailing only the 200-pound Cam Smith. Most of OSU’s corners are listed about 15 pounds lighter than Harris. That size and a willingness to mix it up in the run make Harris a good fit for the spot.

Harris said this is the first time he has played the position.

“Definitely more physical,” Harris said. “You’re more involved in the run a lot, so it’s definitely more physical, which I love about the position. I feel like it’s a great fit for me because I like playing physical.”

Harris and OSU coach Mike Gundy pointed to a new assistant who has helped Harris pick up the position: Dean Marlowe.

Listed as a defensive quality control coach, Marlowe was a defensive back in the NFL for nine seasons, playing for the Panthers, Bills, Lions, Falcons and Chargers. He last played during the 2023 season with the Chargers. In his career, he made 159 tackles and intercepted two passes.

“Oh, Coach Marlowe, he’s been amazing,” Harris said. “He’s been a blessing. He’s helped elevate my game in a tremendous amount of ways, and I’m very thankful for him.”

Harris has made four tackles in OSU’s opening two games of the season after combining for nine total tackles in the past two seasons. He nearly got home on a sack against UT-Martin but was still credited with a quarterback hurry.

After two years of work, Harris is finally showing what he can do as a Cowboy.

“He’s made great strides,” Gundy said. “He still has a way to go, but the transition with this staff has helped him some. Dean Marlowe is one of the coaches that we brought in that played eight or nine years in the NFL and got into coaching just recently in January, I think is when he came here. Has been able to work with him and bring him along, played the same position in NFL. It’s helped him a lot, and that, in my opinion, has helped him progress to where he is now.”

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