2024 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Marvin Harrison Jr, WR Ohio State
Welcome to the Exclusive Sneak Peek: Marvin Harrison Jr, Wide Receiver from Ohio State. He is from Philadelphia, PA and was a 4-star recruit out of St. Joseph’s Prep High School.
Harrison, son of Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, committed to Ohio State in October 2019. At that time he was ranked as WR14 on 247sports. His teammate, WR Emeka Egbuka, was ranked WR1 on 247sports.
He finished his freshman season with no starts throughout 12 games. But he did have 11 receptions for 139 yards and 3 touchdowns.
In his sophomore season, he got the starting role. This would become his breakout season. Through 12 games he had 72 receptions for 1,157 yards and 12 touchdowns. After such a season he became a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. He lost to Tennessee WR Jalin Hyatt.
His junior season would lead to more production and a Biletnikoff Award Winner. In 2023 he finished with 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Measurables
NCAA Statistics
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Avg | TD | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD |
| *2021 | Ohio State | Big Ten | FR | WR | 13 | 11 | 139 | 12.6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 139 | 12.6 | 3 | |
| *2022 | Ohio State | Big Ten | SO | 13 | 77 | 1263 | 16.4 | 14 | 2 | 32 | 16.0 | 0 | 79 | 1295 | 16.4 | 14 | |
| *2023 | Ohio State | Big Ten | JR | WR | 12 | 67 | 1211 | 18.1 | 14 | 2 | 26 | 13.0 | 1 | 69 | 1237 | 17.9 | 15 |
| Career | Ohio State | 155 | 2613 | 16.9 | 31 | 4 | 58 | 14.5 | 1 | 159 | 2671 | 16.8 | 32 | ||||
Scouting Reports
Strengths
- Elite athletic skills – possibly from his family bloodline. Still, he puts in the work to improve year after year.
- Superb hands with the ability to win the contested catch.
- A technician with a crisp agile route running.
- Amazing awareness of tracking the ball down the field.
- Not afraid to go after the block to allow the runner to gain extra yardage.
- Excellent footwork at the line of scrimmage.
- His size plus speed allows him to accelerate off the line better than most.
- Long arms allow him to catch at the high point and often play a bit bigger than what he is.
Weaknesses
- Relies much more on his hands rather than separation to receive the ball.
- Does break tackles here and there, but too often misses that opportunity in the open field.
- Too often brought down on first contact.
Pre-Draft Analysis
Expected Draft Capital: Top 3 Overall
Ideal Landing Spot: New England Patriots
The New England Patriots have the 3rd overall pick, which is a prime spot to draft the best receiver in the draft. This is assuming that the Chicago Bears (1st overall pick draft Caleb Williams – *They should trade back* ) and the Washington Commanders (2nd overall pick draft Drake Maye – *Howell looked okay, so they could trade back too* ).
That brings me to the New England Patriots and their 3rd overall pick. Recently, they have decided to part ways with their now former Hall of Fame Head Coach Bill Belichick. A rebuild of all levels is definitely in place for them. Many mocks that I have seen have them taking LSU QB Jayden Daniels. Although, that could be a great pick I believe taking arguably the WR1 of the class would be the better move.
Harrison Jr. is in the top tier with LSU receiver Malik Nabers. It is both of them and then everybody else. The Patriots have continued to struggle to find a solid threat on the outside for some time. If they were to add Harrison Jr. and keep Mac Jones at quarterback then we may see a new breathtaking offense in New England. However, they may want to move on from Mac Jones, I assume they do, which is fine. I would still take Harrison Jr. if I were them and draft either Michigan’s quarterback J.J. McCarthy or Oregon’s quarterback Bo Nix in the second. Marvin Harrison Jr. will be something special, a unicorn if you will. If you see a unicorn you do what you can to capture it and nurture it as long as you can.
Post-Draft Analysis
Pick 1.04 to the Arizona Cardinals
Harrison Jr.
Check out The Fantasy Football Universe video breakdown of Marvin Harrison Jr below.
