Marvin Harrison Jr's decision to withdraw from athletic testing this draft season is not a big deal
Ohio State star wide receiver, Marvin Harrison Jr has been deemed the No.1 WR prospect for the last two years. Not for nothing, Harrison Jr is an elite-caliber prospect with a rare blend of size, strength, route running, and speed. So, his decision to withdraw from all athletic testing for the draft cycle means nothing […]
Ohio State star wide receiver, Marvin Harrison Jr has been deemed the No.1 WR prospect for the last two years. Not for nothing, Harrison Jr is an elite-caliber prospect with a rare blend of size, strength, route running, and speed. So, his decision to withdraw from all athletic testing for the draft cycle means nothing to his overall draft evaluation.
Will there be scouts and general managers upset that they can't have a "verified" time that they are in attendance for? Absolutely. That says more about their selfishness than Harrison Jr if we're being honest. In today's football climate, players in college have more power than ever before. There is no incentive or benefit to testing, for the sake of other's pleasure.
As the Athletic's Dane Brugler states in his tweet below, no one is dropping Harrison Jr down their draft boards because of a 40 time.
Marvin Harrison Jr has stamped himself as one of the best
The son of Hall-of-Famer and former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver, Marvin Harrison Sr, has proven his greatness in college football. In two years as a starter at Ohio State, Harrison Jr has caught 144 passes for 2,474 yards receiving, and 28 receiving touchdowns. He is a special talent with rare skills.
During the 2022-2023 College Football Playoffs, the Georgia Bulldogs snuck away with a close win over Ohio State before whooping up on TCU to win the National Title. At one point during their matchup, the Bulldogs mentioned Harrison Jr.'s greatness while slighting TCU's wide receivers. The full quote is in Carson's tweet below.
Final word
At the end of the day, Marvin Harrison Jr is a special player/prospect and should be treated as such. A timed run in shirts and shorts should not cause him to fall in anyone's rankings. College pro day 40-yard dash times are incredibly unreliable. Therefore, no need to cry over spilled milk, turn on the tape, and enjoy the brilliance of Harrison Jr.
