Marvin Harrison Jr., a Heisman Trophy finalist and almost-certain top five draft pick, told reporters Thursday that he hasn’t decided whether he’ll enter the 2024 NFL Draft or return to Ohio State for his final season.
Harrison, after all, has unfinished business in Columbus.
“I want to beat the team up north and win a Big Ten Championship,” the star wide receiver said.
After 15 wins in 16 annual games between 2004 and 2019, the Buckeyes have lost three straight to Michigan. The Wolverines beat the previously undefeated Buckeyes in the final week of the regular season, with Michigan headed to the College Football Playoff as the No. 1 seed and Ohio State to the Cotton Bowl against Missouri.
Harrison’s comments came as rumors swirl that he and running back TreVeyon Henderson could receive big name, image and likeness compensation to return in 2024.
He apparently isn’t in a hurry to decide which path to take.
“There will be a time and place for that,” he said.
For now, he’s still remembering the lost opportunity to beat Michigan after the 30-24 loss on Nov. 25.
“I think incomplete is a way you could describe it,” he said of his Buckeyes’ career.
With no decision on the NFL draft comes no decision on whether Harrison will play in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 29 in Dallas.
On Wednesday, Harrison was named the Associated Press Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. A consensus All-American in 2022, Harrison is the first Ohio State receiver with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in school history.
This season, Harrison made 67 catches for 1,211 yards with 14 touchdowns in 12 games. In 2022, he amassed 1,263 yards with 14 scores in 13 games.
–Field Level Media