Marvin Harrison Jr. is a generational talent, but the Heisman hype is premature

• Sixth in Heisman odds: Harrison leads all non-quarterbacks and is sixth among all players in Heisman Trophy odds (+1300), according to BetMGM.

• The junior wouldn’t even win the Biletnikoff at this point: Both LSU’s Malik Nabers and Missouri’s Luther Burden III have had better seasons than Harrison this season.

• Check out PFF's 2024 NFL Draft big board: Click here to see 200 of the top draft prospects that college football has to offer.

Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

All Marvin Harrison Jr. has done in his life is live up to the hype. He’s no longer known simply as “Marvin Harrison’s son,” instead becoming a generational talent in his own right.

As difficult as it is to overrate the Ohio State wide receiver, that’s precisely what some have done this season. Many peg Harrison as a top Heisman Trophy candidate, and he leads all non-quarterbacks in betting odds for the honor (+1300 at BetMGM, sixth among all players). 

It’s incredibly rare for a wide receiver to take home the Heisman. The only one to accomplish that feat this century was DeVonta Smith in 2020, and he put together one of the greatest seasons by a wide receiver this sport has ever seen.

DeVonta Smith in 13 games in 2020 compared to Marvin Harrison Jr.’s 13-game pace

Harrison isn't even in line to win the Biletnikoff Award this season, given to the best receiver in college football. He probably wouldn’t be my second choice, either. 

Marvin Harrison Jr. compared to Malik Nabers and Luther Burden III | 2023

To Harrison’s credit, he has been the best receiver in the country as of late. The junior’s 553 receiving yards over the past four weeks leads all receivers, while his five touchdowns in that span paces the Power Five. He also had a Heisman-esque performance with 11 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown in a win over then-No. 7 Penn State, a game where he was often covered by first-round cornerback prospect Kalen King.

If he keeps these numbers up and leads Ohio State to both a road victory over No. 2 Michigan and a College Football Playoff appearance, it’ll be time for Harrison to receive some legitimate Heisman buzz. However, placing him at the top of the conversation right now feels premature.

Harrison is a generational talent who deserves to be the first non-quarterback selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Even so, he doesn’t quite have the gaudy numbers this season to warrant winning college football's most prestigious individual honor — at least not yet.