There are a ton of prospects in the NFL Draft who have impressed with their body of work, but few have the pedigree of Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
With a rumored 40-yard dash time in the high-4.3s ahead of the 2023 collegiate season, there were questions if he’d run at the NFL Combine or Ohio State’s Pro Day.
Why Marvin Harrison Jr. Didn’t Run the 40-Yard Dash
Harrison is projected to be a top-five selection in this year’s NFL Draft.
Due to his high projection and the expectation that it wouldn’t necessarily aid him in his draft process, Harrison opted to train with strength and conditioning specialist Mickey Marotti instead to prepare himself for the NFL, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
“[Harrison] can simply tell NFL teams to turn on the tape — how he runs a 40, or a three-cone drill, or routes on air probably won’t change how high he’s going to go,” Breer wrote. “His sterling reputation as a worker and a person also give Harrison even more flexibility here. That allows everyone to view Harrison’s plan as strictly a business decision, made with an eye towards having a great rookie year, rather than as some reflection on his character.”
MORE: Fastest Wide Receiver 40-Yard Dash Times in NFL Combine History
How Fast Is Harrison?
The true answer is that only Harrison and those close to him know. His game tape shows an elite burst and the ability to track the ball at a high level.
The son of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Marvin Harrison was highly productive in three seasons with the Buckeyes.
The younger Harrison compiled 155 receptions for 2,613 receiving yards and 31 touchdowns in 38 games at Ohio State.
The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman listed Harrison as one of the top athletes in college football prior to last season. Harrison had some impressive workout numbers and expected to improve, all while being 6’4″ and 205 pounds.
“He has everything,” Feldman wrote. “He’s very strong — he bench presses 380 pounds and did 20 reps of 225 on the bench and squatted 500. He’s very explosive, having broad-jumped 10’8″, 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.”
How Old Is Harrison?
Harrison was born Aug. 11, 2002, and is 21 years old.
The wideout was born in Philadelphia, Pa., and attended La Salle College High School during his freshman year before he transferred to St. Joseph’s Preparatory School. He was a four-star recruit by Rivals and 247Sports in the class of 2021.
Harrison’s Latest Scouting Report
Harrison’s route running is smooth and he performs in all situations, according to Pro Football Network draft analyst Ian Cummings, who is a big fan of the top-flight receiver.
One of the best WR prospects in recent memory is heading to the desert❗️#BirdGang | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/9cZH2haVx1
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024
“Harrison is the top overall prospect on my 2024 NFL Draft board. His grade rests on the cusp of the generational tier for his position group. Ja’Marr Chase was a superior run-after-catch threat as a prospect, but in my time evaluating the NFL Draft, Harrison is the most complete player on record at his position,” Cummings wrote.
“His rare size-adjusted flexibility, combined with his physicality and precise route running nuance, allows him to put ill-fated defensive backs into a blender on every down.
KEEP READING: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Mavin Harrison Jr.
“Few receivers of Harrison’s size have the hip sink and malleability that he has, and he uses that in tandem with sharp spatial awareness, throttle control, a vast route tree, and footwork efficiency to consistently win one-on-one as a separator.
“After offsetting at stems, Harrison’s acceleration is effortless but extreme, and he has the high-level body control and coordination to convert downfield on tight catches.”
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