Nov 18, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) checks in as an eligible receiver during the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA Today Network)
The son of a Hall of Fame wide receiver and a generational prospect in his own right, Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. may be the single most-hyped prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft class. With big hype comes big expectations though - will Harrison be able to live up to them?
Marvin Harrison Jr. scouting report
College: Ohio State
Age: 21
Height: 6'4
Weight: 205
Awards: Unanimous All-American (2022-2023), First-Team All-Big 10 (2022, 2023), Biletnikoff Award (2023)
Coming out of college, everything about Harrison screams big-time prospect. His tape, production, and even background as the son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison. Yet for the younger Harrison, this hype was built quickly. Coming out of St. Joseph's Prep School in Philadelphia, Harrison Jr. was the 21st-ranked wide receiver and 160th overall prospect in the Class of 2021.
After seeing limited playing time as a freshman behind future first-round picks Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Harrison Jr. took off in 2022 as a true sophomore catching passes from C.J. Stroud. Despite a step back in quarterback play in 2023 when Kyle McCord took over under center for Ohio State, Harrison still put up massive numbers and won the Biletnikoff Award, which is given annually to the best wide receiver in the nation. He was also a Heisman finalist.
For more player breakdowns, scouting reports, and all things 2024 NFL Draft, check out the 98.5 The Sports Hub Draft Hub page.
Stats
| Year | School | Conf | Class | G(S) | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ohio State | Big Ten | FR | 13(1) | 11 | 139 | 12.6 | 3 |
| 2022 | Ohio State | Big Ten | SO | 13(13) | 77 | 1263 | 16.4 | 14 |
| 2023 | Ohio State | Big Ten | JR | 12(12) | 67 | 1211 | 18.1 | 14 |
| Career | 38(26) | 155 | 2613 | 16.9 | 31 |
Strengths
--Outstanding body control and hands. Very few throws are truly out of his reach - even if they probably should be
--Detailed and explosive route runner
--Handles physicality well both at the line of scrimmage and at the catch point
--Completely versatile as a receiver. Runs a complete route tree at a high level and can do so from any alignment.
--Ideal length for the position
Weaknesses
--Certainly fast enough for the NFL, but doesn't have 'rare' speed
--Doesn't make tacklers miss with regularity after the catch
--Will need to bulk up a bit to absorb the kind of hits he'll take over the middle at the next level
Video breakdown
Player comparisons
Ceiling: Calvin Johnson
Middle: Davante Adams/A.J. Green
Floor: Amari Cooper
Bottom line
I always try to stress during the pre-draft process that "there's no such thing as a perfect prospect." That's still true, but Harrison Jr. is about as close as you're going to find. It wouldn't be surprising at all to see him end up a top 10 receiver in the NFL by the time his rookie year is over. He'll go in the top five for sure, the only question left is where?
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at abarth@985TheSportsHub.com.
