Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. is poised to be the first wide receiver selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Let’s explore Harrison’s past and learn how he became such an elite prospect.
Where Did Marvin Harrison Jr.’s Football Career Start?
Harrison initially went to La Salle College High School, but he transferred to St. Joseph’s Prep. However, his football career started well before then.
As you may have noticed, Harrison shares a name with his father. The senior Marvin Harrison played 15 years in the NFL. He’s a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and is considered one of the greatest wide receivers of all time. It’s far from a major surprise that his son is also really good at football.
In high school, having one super elite player can often carry a team, and Harrison Jr. was just that. He broke the Philadelphia Catholic League receiving record with 2,625 receiving yards and 37 receiving touchdowns. His team won three straight state championships.
Despite his impressive production and lineage, Harrison was only a four-star recruit coming out of high school. Of course, he still had no shortage of offers, as Florida, Michigan, Penn State, LSU, Notre Dame, and Texas A&M all sought his talents. Additionally, his father’s alma mater, Syracuse, made Harrison an offer.
Ultimately, Harrison chose to go to Ohio State. A big reason was quarterback Kyle McCord, who Harrison went to school with at St. Joe’s.
Revisiting Harrison’s College Career
Ohio State
Harrison spent his entire college career with the Buckeyes. Despite his obvious talent, Harrison couldn’t get on the field much as a freshman. He didn’t redshirt, appearing in 13 games, but he caught just 11 passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns.
Harrison’s lack of playing time wasn’t a knock on his ability, though. That Ohio State WR corps was stacked with NFL talent, featuring three future first-rounders in Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is DIFFERENT 🤯
The Ohio State #Buckeyes pass catcher can’t be stopped, illegally or otherwise
CFB Live Blog: https://t.co/9B6PmLLNH8pic.twitter.com/cpoHdZmn7e
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 8, 2022
As a sophomore, Harrison was elevated to a starter with Wilson and Olave leaving for the NFL, and all he did was catch 77 passes for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was a unanimous All-American and was named the Richter–Howard Receiver of the Year, which goes to the best WR in the Big Ten.
MORE: 2024 NFL Draft Big Board
Harrison’s talent was so evident that he easily would have been the first receiver off the board in the 2023 NFL Draft if he’d been eligible. Due to NFL rules, Harrison had to wait another year.
In his third and final season at Ohio State, Harrison caught 67 passes for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns. He even tacked on one more score via the ground. Harrison won his second consecutive Richter–Howard Receiver of the Year award.
Harrison’s Potential in the NFL
Positional value is a thing.
Therefore, the QBs are going to go before Harrison. But, PFN’s Ian Cummings says that “Harrison is the top overall prospect on my 2024 NFL Draft big board.”
“His grade rests on the cusp of the generational tier for his position group,” Cummings adds. “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.”
MORE: Ian Cummings’ Full Scouting Report of Marvin Harrison Jr.
Harrison’s ceiling essentially doesn’t exist. The question isn’t whether he will be a top-10 receiver, it’s when. According to Cummings, it could happen immediately.
“Right out of the gate in the NFL, Harrison projects as a high-impact, attention-drawing X receiver, who also has the versatility to play the movement Z spot. And he has the combined physical talent and near-flawless intangibles to support an All-Pro ceiling.”
It’s hard to imagine any realistic landing spot where Harrison isn’t his team’s WR1 from the jump.
Highlights, Records, and More
Despite being the clear best WR in this class, Harrison was named to CFN’s Second-Team All-Offense. This has more to do with the incredible production from the likes of Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, and Malik Washington than any shortcomings from Harrison.
As mentioned above, Harrison won consecutive Big Ten WR of the Year honors and arguably should’ve won the Biletnikoff Award in 2022 over Jalin Hyatt.
In just three seasons, Harrison amassed the third-most touchdown receptions as well as the sixth-most receptions and sixth-most receiving yards in Ohio State history. As a reminder, he accomplished this in what was essentially only two seasons.
Harrison is arguably the best wide receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson and is maybe the closest you can get to a sure thing when it comes to scouting.
KEEP READING: Top WRs in the 2024 NFL Draft
Draft with your friends today! PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator now supports multiple drafters during the same draft! Ensure your player rankings are up to date on the 2024 NFL Draft Big Board and you know what every NFL team needs before drafting.
