Report: Marvin Harrison Jr. won't work out at NFL Scouting Combine
COLUMBUS — Ohio State superstar wide receiver, Biletnikoff Award winner, two-time unanimous All-American and projected top-five draft pick Marvin Harrison Jr. was expected to headline the entire NFL Scouting Combine this week.
But he’s not going to steal the show with any workouts over in Indianapolis. In fact, he won’t be working out at all during this week’s festivities at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Harrison Jr. will not work out at the combine this week, according to Sports Illustrated and Monday Morning Quarterback’s Albert Breer, who reported Monday morning that Harrison Jr. did not train for combine drills such as the 40-yard dash, the bench press or other combine workouts. Harrison Jr. is instead still focusing on being a wide receiver prospect — not an athlete — as he prepares to become the highest-drafted wide receiver in the NFL Draft since Calvin Johnson, who went second overall in 2007.
He can simply tell NFL teams to turn on the tape—how he runs a 40, or a three-cone drill, or routes on air probably won’t change how high he’s going to go. His sterling reputation as a worker and a person also give Harrison even more flexibility here. That allows everyone to view Harrison’s plan as strictly a business decision, made with an eye towards having a great rookie year, rather than as some reflection on his character.
Albert Breer, MMQB
Harrison Jr. will still be in Indianapolis during the NFL Combine to meet with teams and potentially make media appearances. But he simply hasn’t done the training for the combine, opting to focus on training the normal way that has made him into the star receiver prospect that he is.
After all, teams should already know how good he is as a wide receiver prospect without official times in the speed and agility drills.
Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. NFL Draft outlook
Projected draft position: Top-five pick
Why: There’s not a receiver prospect in the last 15 years who has generated this much hype heading into the NFL Draft process. Some scouts have struggled to find Harrison Jr.’s weakness, citing that there may not be any on the tape. He’ll be a highly-draft prospect, potentially the highest-drafted receiver since Calvin Johnson in the 2007 NFL Draft.
Could he improve his draft stock this week if he showed up? No. His draft stock cannot possibly get any higher, especially for a wide receiver. He isn’t going to be the No. 1 overall pick, but he’ll be close. And he doesn’t need the NFL Combine to prove it.
