College football athletes are currently deliberating their prospects for the NFL draft now that the season has concluded. Deion Sanders, a renowned NFL figure and Colorado coach, expressed reservations about his son, Shedeur Sanders, taking the field in the upcoming season. In a similar vein, Brenden Rice, the son of legendary NFL player Jerry Rice, announced his entry into the 2024 NFL draft days ago.
Joining these footballers in their pursuits, Marvin Harrison Jr., wide receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes, is poised to follow in his father’s footsteps, Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., into the competitive realm of the NFL. However, what is he contemplating? Is he aiming to make his move in this year’s draft?
Is Marvin Harrison Jr. entering the NFL draft?
Marvin Harrison Jr. stands at a crossroads in his collegiate football career, grappling with the decision of whether to return for the 2024 season. He addressed reporters, expressing his uncertainty while reflecting on unmet goals that drive his potential return.
The determination to conquer archrival Michigan and clinch a Big Ten championship has been the cornerstone of the WR’s aspirations since entering the 2023 season. However, falling short of these pivotal achievements has left him contemplating another year in scarlet and gray.
“I’m still undecided. You guys know, coming into this year, I wanted to beat ‘The Team Up North’ [Michigan] and win a Big Ten championship. And obviously, I didn’t do that this year. So I think that’s a great motive to come back, if that’s what I decide to do, because that’s something I definitely wanted to do in my Ohio State career. Not being able to have done that yet definitely opens the door for me to come back,” he said via Fox Sports.
Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. said he’s undecided about his future.
— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) December 7, 2023
“Coming into this year, I wanted to beat ‘The Team Up North’ & win a Big Ten Championship & obviously I did not do that this year. I think there's a great motive to come back if that's what I decide to do.“ pic.twitter.com/bnK2aNjnZj
The 2023 Heisman Trophy finalist secured the title of the Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year. He also set school records with eight 100-yard games and an incredible streak of eight consecutive games with a touchdown catch.
Days ago, the receiver claimed the prestigious Fred Biletnikoff Award, an honor bestowed upon the nation’s top collegiate wide receiver. His triumph marked a historic moment, making him the first Ohio State Buckeyes receiver since Terry Glenn in 1995 to clinch this revered accolade. However, the young star said individual accolades pale in comparison to team triumphs.
“I’m definitely blessed to be getting all the recognition that I am for these different awards. But I think I’d trade it all for a win against The Team Up North and get to [Indianapolis] and play in the Big Ten championship.”
The Buckeyes’ season culminated with an impressive 11-1 record, but they couldn’t secure a College Football Playoff berth, ranking seventh in the final standings. Nevertheless, the team has a crucial Cotton Bowl Classic showdown against No. 9 Missouri at the end of December, offering a chance to conclude the season on a high note.
Marvin Harrison Jr. reportedly receives $20-$25 million NIL deal
Marvin Harrison Jr. has been presented with groundbreaking Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals that could rival the financial earnings of a top-tier NFL draft pick, per Christian Williams of Footballguys. These offers are reportedly structured to mirror the compensation a first-round NFL draft selection would command. Considering his potential as a Top-5 pick, with projections of earning between $20 to $25 million in total cash, these NIL deals represent a paradigm shift in collegiate athlete endorsements.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is reportedly rumored to have an NIL deal on the table worth between “$20-$25 million” to return to college.
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) December 10, 2023
For reference, if someone is really offering that, that would be more than the NFL career earnings of names like:
• Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins)
•… pic.twitter.com/uvbAXZu43R
According to Spotrac, the NFL’s rookie wage scale for the first five picks in the 2024 draft includes sizable signing bonuses:
1st pick – $24,849,725
2nd pick – $23,618,753
3rd pick – $22,835,422
4th pick – $21,940,160
5th pick – $20,373,464
What’s remarkable is that these figures exclude any potential endorsement earnings, which could skyrocket the Ohio State player’s total compensation to over $30 million if he were to extend his college tenure.
Throughout the season, the WR silenced his critics by catching 67 passes for 1,211 yards while adding 14 touchdowns for Ohio State in 2023 and leading the team in all categories. Throughout his three-year tenure at Ohio State, Marvin Harrison Jr. caught 155 passes for 2,613 yards and added 31 touchdowns, while averaging 16.9 yards per reception.
