Garrett Wilson already was accustomed to creating jaw-dropping performs at Ohio State, however he was the one left in awe throughout Marvin Harrison Jr.’s first week on campus.
Earlier than they ever shared the sphere collectively, Harrison, who graduated from highschool early to enroll in January 2021, caught Wilson’s eye on the bench press.
“He did 18 reps at 225 [pounds] on like his second day of being within the facility,” Wilson instructed The Submit. “I had carried out my take a look at two years earlier, they usually really needed to change the bar to 185 for me. It was a giant discrepancy, like, ‘Oh wow, this dude just isn’t joking round.’ It tells you numerous about his work ethic. That’s not one thing you simply have. You construct that.”
Three years later, Wilson is making the Jets look sensible for drafting him No. 10 total in 2022.
He’s the one NFL receiver with 1,000 yards in every of the previous two seasons for a shedding group.
However Harrison is ranked as excessive as No. 1 total on the 2024 draft boards of some analysts — together with ESPN’s Jordan Reid, who says Harrison has “gold-jacket-type potential.”
It’s a reference to Harrison at some point becoming a member of his father — the previous Colt who’s No. 5 in profession receptions in league historical past — within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
“The easiest way I can describe Marvin is he’s a grinder,” Wilson stated. “He’s at all times going to be one of the best participant on the sphere, however in a uncommon case that he wasn’t, he could be grinding the entire day after to ensure that was by no means the case once more. That’s my favourite factor about him.”
Fellow ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. charges Harrison as one of the best receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson, the No. 2 total decide in 2007.
Wilson and Giants receiver Parris Campbell — one other former Ohio State star (2015-18) who retains shut tabs on his alma mater — should not about to dispel any of the hype.
“Nonetheless having connections there, I’ve heard he’s most likely one of the best receiver to ever stroll by there,” Campbell instructed The Submit. “After watching the video games carefully, I’d should say I agree.”
The Giants and Jets each start the offseason with a major want for receivers.
Within the Giants’ case, it’s a continuation of the years-long seek for a No. 1 pass-catcher that beforehand turned up Golden Tate, Kenny Golladay and Darren Waller.
Within the Jets’ case, it’s the seek for somebody to attract consideration away from Wilson, after free-agent signing Allen Lazard dissatisfied final season.
However Harrison might be gone by the point the Giants (No. 6) or Jets (No. 10) decide, until there’s a commerce.
The consensus opinion amongst draft analysts is that Harrison might be picked no later than No. 4 — bumped down solely due to the worth positioned on quarterbacks and the evaluations of USC’s Caleb Williams, North Carolina’s Drake Maye and LSU’s Jayden Daniels.
After first assembly the Harrisons when father and son had been on an Ohio State recruiting go to, Campbell spent the primary 4 seasons of his NFL profession with the Colts, the place the elder Marvin Harrison spent his entire 13-year profession and nonetheless returns to go to.
He and teammate-turned-Colts-receivers-coach Reggie Wayne had been Peyton Manning’s high weapons in a record-setting offense.
“In the event you requested anyone when Marvin Harrison Sr. was taking part in, ‘What’s going to his son be like?’ — he’s what you’ll anticipate,” Campbell stated. “We’ve had limitless conversions of receiver speak.”
The 2021 Buckeyes had Wilson, Chris Olave (No. 11 decide in 2022), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (No. 20 decide in 2023), Harrison and Emeka Egbuka (a possible 2025 first-rounder) catching passes from seemingly 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Yr C.J. Stroud (No. 2 decide in 2023).
“There was by no means any competitors,” Wilson stated. “We had been simply making an attempt to drop all of the data attainable on Marvin. Understanding I used to be going to be declaring once I was a junior, Chris was a senior and [Harrison] was a freshman, it was, ‘How can we ensure that when it’s his time to play, he’s going to be prepared?’ ”
Mission completed.
Harrison is the one two-time All-American receiver in program historical past, the 2023 Biletnikoff Winner as one of the best receiver in school soccer and a 2023 Heisman Trophy finalist.
He ranks sixth at Ohio State in receptions (155) and yards (2,613), and third in touchdowns (31) regardless of beginning for simply two seasons — and accumulating two of this system’s 10 all-time 1,000-yard seasons.
“He does all of it — brief routes, deep routes, throughout the center,” Campbell stated. “It’s loopy that he’s 6-foot-3, however his short-area quickness is great. Most likely going to run a 4.3, low 4.4 [time in the 40-yard dash] on the mix. The way in which he catches the ball, his physique management, he has the entire bundle.”