What is Marvin Harrison Jr.’s NFL draft projection? The Ohio State Buckeye WR’s stats and combine performance
Consistently proving to be one of the best in the business, the Ohio State wide receiver is expected to go high in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison Sr., the young pass catcher has been described as a freak of nature by some due to his unbelievable athletic ability. There’s no doubt that his future is bright.
Getting to know Marvin Harrison Jr.
Out of St. Joseph’s Prep High School, Marvin Harrison Jr. was already a highly regarded 4-star recruit. He opted to join Ohio State following an intense period where several colleges tried to recruit him. In his first year (2021), Harrison Jr. appeared in 12 games for the Buckeyes, though he did not start. Regardless, he still managed to haul in 11 passes to 139 yards for an average gain of 12.6 yards per reception and three touchdowns.
What came next was a much-improved sophomore year in 2022, which saw him secure a starting role as the Z receiver. The 21-year-old would record 72 catches for 1157 yards for an average of 16.1 yards per catch, with 12 TDs. Even more impressive was that Harrison Jr. registered a more than impressive QB rating of 135.5 when targeted. Today, his reception and yardage totals stand at fourth all-time in Ohio State’s single-season history, while his TD total is tied for second with David Boston (1997), trailing only Terry Glenn’s 17 in 1995.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is a special kind of WR
As mentioned, Harrison Jr. has the right blood running through his veins. Like his father before him, the younger Harrison possesses incredible skills. Yet, rather than take my word for it, consider the words of Bruce Feldman, who placed Harrison Jr. at No. 2 on his ‘Freaks List’ in August 2022. Here’s what he had to say:
“At 6-4 208, the son of a Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver is remarkably gifted. He has everything. He’s very strong - he bench presses 380 pounds, did 20 reps of 225 on the bench, and squatted 500. He’s very explosive, having broad-jumped 10 feet 8, and he’s really sudden, having clocked a 3.94 in the shuttle and improved on his max velocity from last year, up to 23.5 MPH. Asked for what training result he’s most proud of, he says it’s his 5-10-5, given his height and weight, yet he still can run a sub-4-second time.”
What awards has Marvin Harrison Jr. won?
- 2022: Big Ten Richter-Howard Wide Receiver of the Year - 77 catches for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns
- 2022 Biletnikoff Award finalist
- A unanimous All-American in 2022 – Ohio State’s first unanimous All-American receiver – with first-team accolades by AP, Walter Camp, AFCA, FWAA, and TSN
- 2021 OSU Scholar-Athlete; Rose Bowl record-tying three touchdown receptions
Marvin Harrison Jr at the 2024 NFL Combine
Harrison Jr raised eyebrows by his absence at the 2024 NFL Combine. The circumstances were bizarre as officials simply announced that he would not appear on the appointed media day, saying, “I have no further information.”
Later, Harrison Jr claimed that it was a storm created by officials, since they knew beforehand that he would not appear. Everything at the combine is voluntary and he chose not to speak to the media, opting instead to let his performance on the field speak for itself.
This is a growing trend in the combine, with the top players feeling that they have little to gain and much to lose by participating. Until NFL coaches, General Managers, and owners start attending, this may just be the beginning of seeing marquee players chose to stay home on combine week.