We shed light on the Ohio State star’s approach to the pre-draft process two months ago before the combine. And the truth is the wheels were set in motion even before that.
The messaging at the Buckeyes’ 2023 pro day with C.J. Stroud and Paris Johnson Jr. regarding Harrison was this:
Harrison dazzled everyone that day, to the point where he stole some of the spotlight from two top-six picks who wound up being among the top two or three rookies in the NFL last year. One scout who was there told me a day or two later that Harrison looked as smooth as a sports car moving down the field (It was still months before Fox’s Gus Johnson dubbed him “Maserati Marv” to be clear), and under Stroud’s throws.
Some more from that day? Here were some of the quick text reactions I got from evaluators on the ground that I compiled from that day …
And then, Harrison decided he didn’t need to elicit those oohs and ahhs again. He won the Biletnikoff Award in the fall, despite the Buckeyes’ dropoff at quarterback, and posted nearly identical production (67 catches, 1,211 yards, 14 touchdowns, plus a rushing touchdown, in 2023; 77 catches, 1,263 yards, 14 touchdowns in ’22), even though he sat out Ohio State’s bowl game in ’23.
As we explained in February, Harrison made the decision, in conjunction with his dad, to prepare for the football season rather than Olympic testing, which leveraged all he’s accomplished as a collegian since few guys can afford to skip over the process. He met with nine teams at the combine and asked if they needed to see anything at Ohio State’s pro day, and they all said no. So he did “30 visits” with the Arizona Cardinals and the Chicago Bears, and that was that.
Now, we’re three days away from the draft, and he’s still most likely to be the first receiver, if not the first nonquarterback, to get drafted.
So in the end, Harrison lost nothing by doing it this way. And by working out with the Ohio State strength staff to prepare to play football, he should be ready to hit the ground running at rookie minicamp and OTAs in the coming weeks.
So it was the right move. My guess is the team that takes him will appreciate it, too.
