Along with LSU, Ohio State has become Wide Receiver University in recent years.
The amount of receiving talent produced in Columbus on a yearly basis is off-the-charts and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
While he didn’t accomplish his ultimate goal of delivering a national title to Buckeye Nation, Marvin Harrison Jr. sure left his mark in Columbus.
Selected fourth-overall by the Arizona Cardinals in this past April’s draft, Harrison Jr. is officially off to the pros where he will attempt to replicate the legendary career his father had in the NFL.
Looking back on his time at Ohio State, Harrison Jr. was asked by Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin on “The Trenches Show” who the best wide receiver in Buckeye history is.
He didn’t hesitate … āI think Iām the best,ā Harrison Jr. confidently stated.
Harrison Jr. didnāt stop there. He offered a detailed rationale for his bold claim, pointing to his impressive statistics and accolades despite limited opportunities early in his college career.
āLook at it from a numbers standpoint. On a per-game basis, itās clear. Michael Jenkins or Cris Carter, they started their freshman year. I didnāt get to start my freshman year,ā he explained. āI only started one game my freshman year.ā
Harrison Jr. compiled 155 receptions for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns in just 26 games.
In comparison, K.J. Hill, Ohio Stateās all-time leader in receptions, played 53 games to amass his 201 catches.
Jenkins, who holds the record for most receiving yards, played 38 games, as did Chris Olave, who leads in receiving touchdowns with 35.
āObviously, in my two years, I did my thing,ā Harrison Jr. added. āThen you look at the accolades. Two-time [Big Ten] Receiver of the Year, Big Ten Player of the Year, Unanimous All-American in back-to-back years. I did it all.ā
His confidence is no surprise given his stellar college career. But in a program as storied as Ohio State, such a declaration is bound to stir debate.
While a lot of people will find his comments quite cocky, the fact of the matter is Harrison Jr. was virtually unstoppable on the field when healthy.
Ohio Stateās list of legendary receivers includes Hall of Famers and long-time NFL stars like Paul Warfield, Cris Carter, Terry Glenn, Joey Galloway, Santonio Holmes, and Ted Ginn Jr., as well as current NFL standouts like Michael Thomas and Terry McLaurin.
Harrison Jr. is well aware of this legacy, but he firmly believes he sits at the pinnacle.
Harrisonās self-assurance is echoed by his current NFL teammates, including Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, who praised the rookieās exceptional abilities.
āThis guy is elite. Heās a freak of nature,ā McBride told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. āA guy of his stature shouldnāt be able to move the way he moves, shouldnāt be as fast as he is, shouldnāt be able to catch the ball the way he does.
“Everything he does is elite. The hype that was around him in college, he definitely lived up to it. Heās a great person, a great player, and Iām excited to see the connection between him and Kyler [Murray] come training camp.ā
What are your thoughts on Harrison Jr.’s bold claim?
Is he indeed the greatest wide receiver in Ohio State history???