"Maserati Marv" is about to roll out of the college football garage and into continued domination in the NFL. Ohio State's Marvin Harrison Jr. is the transcendent top wide receiver prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft and will get picked accordingly during Thursday night's first round.
Harrison is the son of his namesake, Marvin Harrison Sr., a Hall-of-Fame receiver who spent his entire career with the Colts, most of the time as Peyton Manning's go-to guy. The quarterback who lands the younger Harrison this year should likewise be boosted by the ideal No. 1 target for a long time.
Although the older Harrison got it done at 6-0, 185 pounds, Harrison Jr. has more of a classic outside frame at 6 6-3, 209 pounds. He is bigger, stronger, and faster with the same kind of pass-catching, route-running, and scoring pedigree.
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There's no doubt Harrison separates from the rest of a loaded WR class in 2024, but how does he stack up against the best can't-miss wideouts who have entered the league? One needs to go back 13 years when A.J. Green (Georgia) and Julio Jones (Alabama) were drafted No. 4 and No. 6, respectively, ahead of becoming future Hall-of-Famers with the Bengals and Falcons.
Is it crazy to think that Harrison is on a similar fast track from Columbus to Canton, much like Green and Jones, more so than his father? Here's breaking down the key comparisons
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Size
Harrison's 6-3, 209-pound frame is a good start. Green played at 6-4, 207 pounds. Harrison also could be considered a physical clone of Jones, who measured 6-3, 220 pounds. Harrison has the same imposing, tall frame as Green with the strong build of Jones.
Dual big-play ability
Green, playing with Matthew Stafford at Georgia, was known for his vertical speed and field-stretching outside. Jones got it done in his own way, with explosive quickness and toughness breaking into the open field after the catch.
Green and Jones were impactful scorers earlier in their careers before tapering off in career TDs. Harrison should come through as an immediate key red- and end-zone target, too.
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Quiet confidence
Harrison Sr. was known as the ultimate non-diva wide receiver in an era that featured plenty of them. Green and Jones were strong, speedy, silent types. They didn't go out and trash talk — they let their flashes of receiving brilliance speak for themselves.
Harrison Jr. wasn't being 'cocky' with his decisions not to work out at either the NFL Combine or Ohio State's pro day. He has done plenty on the field to show he's an elite generational talent. There were no questions about Green and Jones; just consistent definitive answers.
Reliability
Harrison is a smooth pass catcher, using good footwork, route running, and body positioning to finish plays all over the field. At times, he can invite a coverage challenge, but for the most part, he overcomes it all with natural tools. Green and Jones were impossible one-on-one coverage assignments for even bigger corners. Harrison can prove to be the same kind of consistent nightmare.
