Marvin Harrison Jr., striving to be eighth Buckeye to win Heisman
Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., runs drills with teammates before game against Iowa Saturday October 22, 2022 at Ohio Stadium. (Lynn Harrington/stayaliveinpower5)
The junior wide receiver is seeking to become Ohio State’s eighth Heisman Trophy winner tonight, and first since 2006.
Although only four wide receivers have won the hardware in history, Marvin Harrison Jr., definitely has a chance to be the fifth to capture the Heisman at the position. After all, he has put together a magnificent season, and already won several accolades.
Harrison was named the Big Ten’s Wide Receiver and Offensive Player of the Year for his heroics. Not to mention he won the Biletnikoff award last night as the nation’s most outstanding receiver. There’s no denying Harrison has the talent, skills and production to win the Heisman. He has caught 67 balls for 1,211 yards and scored 15 total touchdowns.
His 14 touchdown receptions is tied for second nationally, and he’s averaging 100.9 receiving yards per game, which ranks ninth in the FBS. Harrison truly was the centerpiece of the Buckeyes’ offense too. Despite the double and triple coverage, he still made plays all over the field with his acrobatic catches. The 21-year old was as dominant as a Big Ten wide receiver gets since Michigan’s Braylon Edwards.
Unfortunately Harrison never got the chance to beat Michigan, or play in the Big Ten Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium, which was a venue his Hall of Fame father dazzled with the Indianapolis Colts. However, winning the Heisman would definitely be his consolation prize.
His body of work is very impressive, considering Harrison is coming off back-to-back, 1000-yard receiving seasons. If the Heisman was awarded for a career, Harrison would be the favorite. The Philadelphia native has 2,613 receiving yards and 31 touchdown catches over the past three seasons.
On top of that Harrison delivered in Ohio State’s biggest game of the year against Michigan. He hauled in five passes for 118 yards and a score at the Big House last month. The Buckeyes have had som elite receivers through the years, including Chris Carter, David Boston, Santonio Holmes, Ted Guinn Jr., Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson. Harrison is arguably the most dominant of them all.
So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that he won the Biletnikoff over LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Roman Oduzne, despite having fewer receptions and yards. Talented wide receivers appear to grow on trees at Ohio State (11-1). Harrison is the latest version, and a guaranteed first rounder in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Buckeyes have a chance to flex its’ muscles if Harrions can win the hardware and become the program with the most Heisman winners.
Which is why tonight can’t get here fast enough for Harrison and all parties involved with Ohio State. It’ll be a statement if he can win the trophy over the other three quarterbacks.
