Republished with full copyrights permissions obtained from the Sports Today Magazine.

The 2024 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a remarkable class, with quarterback prospects Caleb Williams and Drake Maye receiving significant attention and accolades. However, if we delve beyond the hype, there is one standout football player regardless of position who deserves the spotlight – Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. Yes, the son of legendary Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison is now eligible for the draft, and he is poised to make a mark as the top player in the 2024 class.

Harrison Jr.’s numbers from the 2022 season alone tell an impressive story. With 77 catches for over 1,200 yards and 14 touchdowns, he outshone his talented counterparts in a loaded wide receiver room that included first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Emeka Egbuka. But statistics alone cannot capture the essence of what makes Harrison Jr. a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming draft. So, let’s explore the unique qualities that set him apart.

Grace, body control, and athleticism – Harrison Jr. embodies all three. Standing at 6’4″ and 205 pounds, his long arms allow him to extend well beyond his frame to make incredible catches, transforming 50-50 passes into 60-40 balls in his favor. As a true X receiver, often isolated in 3×1 formations, he consistently outperforms even the toughest competition. What truly distinguishes Harrison Jr. is his ability to excel at any level of the field, thanks to his speed, agility, and most importantly, body control.

Harrison Jr.’s matchup against Penn State cornerback Kalen King exemplifies his versatility. Effortlessly gliding past King, he creates a big play down the field – a testament to his active hands, swatting away defenders’ attempts while maintaining control over the catch. His grace and body control as a larger receiver are qualities rarely seen in draft prospects of his stature. Comparisons to veteran receiver AJ Green are justified, as Harrison Jr.’s sudden and smooth maneuvers at his height are a rarity that make him a true game changer on the field.

The technical prowess Harrison Jr. exhibits as a route runner is another aspect of his game that sets him apart. Despite his physical stature, he displays clean route running, effortlessly shifting his hips and making lateral cuts. His ability to perform whip routes, typically executed by smaller receivers, demonstrates his proficiency and adaptability. Furthermore, his footwork and coordination enable him to secure catches outside his frame while keeping his entire body inbounds, consistently moving the chains. By effortlessly going over the top or exploiting defenders on intermediate routes, Harrison Jr. demonstrates why he is the top player in the draft class.

While Harrison Jr. is not a flawless prospect, his room for growth lies in creating opportunities after the catch. While he averaged 329 yards after the catch per Sports Information Solutions (ranked 80th among all college football pass catchers), it is essential to note that Ohio State rarely utilized him in such scenarios. Nevertheless, his dominance as a boundary receiver shines through, overshadowing any need for specialization in this area.

What we know for certain about Harrison Jr. is that he epitomizes the ultimate alpha outside receiver, potentially entering the draft with a more versatile skill set than his slot-only or No. 2 receiver counterparts. His dominant performance and seamless transition to the next level seem almost inevitable.

This post “Marvin Harrison Jr.: The Untapped Potential of a Superstar WR Prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft” was published with full copyrights permissions obtained from the Sports Today Magazine.