Star receiver Harrison to skip combine workouts
When you’re as good as Marvin Harrison Jr., apparently you can do things a little differently.
The Ohio State wide receiver and Biletnikoff Award winner will reportedly waive his chance to work out at the NFL scouting combine, which begins this week in Indianapolis, and will instead be training in Columbus, Ohio in preparation for the NFL season. That’s according to Sports Illustrated, which also reported that Harrison will still meet and talk with teams, but he will work closely with Buckeyes strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti during this time.
Here’s everything you need to know about Marvin Harrison Jr.’s decision to skip the NFL combine.
Why is Marvin Harrison Jr. not attending the NFL combine?
According to Sports Illustrated, Harrison’s intent has been to train for the rigors of an NFL season, as opposed to spending months training for the drills and interviews at the NFL scouting combine.
That certainly bucks convention, as most prospects, as instructed by their agents and representatives, look to improve their draft position by shining in drills at the combine. Training for the combine can be a taxing and perhaps tedious process that can cost in excess of six figures.
Sports Illustrated also reported that Harrison has not hired an agent and that he’s relying on his track record as a hard worker and body of game film to inform his decision to skip the combine.
It’s not uncommon for some of the top prospects to skip drills or individual parts of the scouting combine.
Who is Marvin Harrison Jr.?
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 205 pounds and gifted with elite athleticism and play-making ability, Harrison was announced as a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, awarded to college football’s most outstanding player. LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels eventually won the honor, and Harrison placed fourth in voting.
Harrison did win the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s top receiver and was a unanimous All-America selection for the second consecutive year.
Harrison is widely considered an elite prospect and the top receiver in college football.
He is the son of former Indianapolis Colts star and Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison. In his last two seasons in Columbus, Harrison Jr. combined for 144 catches for 2,474 yards and 28 receiving touchdowns. In late December, he opted out of Ohio State’s Cotton Bowl appearance.
In the most recent USA TODAY Sports NFL mock draft, published Monday, Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz projected Harrison Jr. to be the first wide receiver selected, at No. 4 to the Arizona Cardinals.