by J.T. Toth
Photo of Marvin Harrison Jr.
The NFL Draft talk never ends, and we are here at Draft 412 in an effort to keep you ready for the next set of gridiron stars. From today until draft night 2024, we will bring you mocks, profiles, team needs, and everything else related to the 2024 NFL Draft.
Today’s Spotlight - Ohio State Wide Receiver, Marvin Harrison Jr.
Name- Marvin Harrison Jr.
Pos- WR
Team- Ohio St.
HT/WT- 6’4” 205 lbs
Born- 8/11/2002
Home – Philadelphia, PA
Marvin Harrison Jr. is a wide receiver who may sound familiar to most football fans. He is the son of Hall of Fame wide receiver, Marvin Harrison, who starred for 13 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
Harrison Jr. attended St. Joseph Prep High School in Philadelphia. In his junior season, Harrison Jr. started to put his name on the map with 43 receptions for 872 yards and 13 touchdowns. It was his senior year that really got the scouts interested, and Harrison Jr. would catch 58 passes for 1,111 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was named the Philadelphia Catholic League MVP and was also named to the Pennsylvania Football Writers-Class 6-A All-State Team.
Harrison Jr. committed to Ohio State after sifting through all his Division 1 offers. In his freshman season, he would only play in 5 games and catch 5 passes for 68 yards. He would make his first career start in the 2022 Rose Bowl starting in place of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson who declared for the NFL Draft. He would help Ohio State beat Utah 48-45 by catching 6 passes for 71 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Going into Harrison Jr.’s sophomore year, big things were expected from him, and he did not disappoint. In 13 games, Harrison would catch 77 passes for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns and went on to be named a unanimous All-American.
Harrison Jr. is a complete wide receiver. His route running is excellent and he can create space with his speed and agility. He has terrific hands, rarely drops a pass, and possesses a knack for making difficult catches in traffic. He’s got good enough speed to separate from defenders when needed.
It is hard to find a lot wrong with Marvin Harrison Jr., but he does have things he can improve. His blocking technique and willingness lack at times (as with some gifted athletes playing against lesser competition at this age and level). On film, it’s noticeable as he will not go out of his way to find a player to block. He doesn’t have top-end speed to just blow by you one on one but most big framed receivers don’t.
Strengths
Route Running- smooth, quick.
Hands- rarely drops passes , makes tough catches look easy.
Size- 6’4” with above average speed.
Genes- inherited genes from a hall-of-famer.
Weaknesses
Blocking is non-existent at times.
Lacks top end speed.
Can expand his catch radius, short arms at times.
Final Analysis
Marvin Harrison Jr. is the best receiver in this draft class and possibly the best in several classes. Depending on who picks 1st in 2024 (if they have a QB already), he could go #1. Top 5 most likely.
Prediction- Top 5 pick in 2024.