Scarlet Sunrise: Marvin Harrison Jr. ranks top-10 catches from his Buckeyes career
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Marvin Harrison Jr. ranks top-10 catches from his Buckeyes career
The Big Ten Network asked Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to rank the top-10 catches from his illustrious Buckeyes career. There are so many to pick from — 155 to be exact — but here’s where the Heisman Trophy finalist and Biletnikoff Award winner landed…
10. Harrison catches layered throw in triple coverage against Iowa (2022)
This throw showed up on C.J. Stroud’s NFL Draft highlights time and time again. Stroud layered a pass to Harrison, who was triple covered, and Harrison stretched out to make the highlight-reel grab and reward his quarterback for a well-placed ball in the tighest of windows.
9. Harrison reels in first of two Peach Bowl touchdowns (2022)
Harrison was on the receiving end of not one but two improv touchdown passes from Stroud, who began the College Football Playoff semifinal buying time to his right, directing Harrison that way downfield and hurling a pass to the end zone for a diving score.
8. Harrison makes touchdown grab over outside shoulder against Michigan State (2023)
This one came in arguably Kyle McCord’s most impressive performance of 2023. Harrison’s high school quarterback from St. Joe’s Prep was 24-of-31 for 335 yards and three touchdowns in the blowout win, and one of those three touchdown throws was to Harrison’s outside shoulder in the first quarter. Harrison beat then-true freshman Chance Rucker 1-on-1 to the paint.
7. Harrison gets flexible for alien-like catch against Indiana (2022)
Harrison contorted his body to get a foot down for this head-turning reception against Indiana during the 2022 season. It was one of those catches that just got more and more remarkable every time it was shown. As Harrison was getting pushed out of bounds, he stuck his inside foot inside the boundary to secure the reception, nearly doing a split in the process.
6. Harrison teases NFL-level toe-drag swag versus Toledo (2022)
In the NFL, of course, you need two feet in bounds to come down with a catch. Harrison did just that against Toledo while stretching out for Stroud’s pass and then squeezing both of his feet in the end zone, right ahead of the pylon.
5. Harrison hits Superman celebration after giving Ohio State halftime lead in The Game (2022)
Harrison sprinted past Michigan’s Gemon Green down the sideline, Stroud led him toward the end zone, Harrison caught the pass in stride before ultimately diving and then rolling into the paint. He celebrated like Superman pretending to rip his jersey like Cam Newton did all those years. That touchdown staked Ohio State to a 20-17 halftime lead against Michigan, the Buckeyes’ high point in that matchup.
4. Harrison dips down to catch one of three touchdowns against Michigan State (2022)
Michigan State cornerback Charles Brantley was stuck on an island, and Harrison made him pay. Stroud went backshoulder toward the pylon. Harrison dropped his hands to locate the ball with Brantley’s head to the back of the play. Harrison posted seven catches and three touchdowns that game.
3. Harrison rewards Ryan Day’s aggressiveness on 4th-and-1 in the Rose Bowl (2021)
Harrison also had a trio of touchdowns in the Rose Bowl at the end of the 2021 season, which served as his breakout game at Ohio State. The first came on a 4th-and-1 early in the second quarter with the Buckeyes trailing Utah, 14-0. Day rolled the dice, and Stroud found Harrison.
2. Harrison seals win against Penn State with drag route touchdown (2023)
Harrison and the drag route had a good thing going in 2023, and the long-developing pass pattern wound up delivering the game-sealing touchdown against Penn State last season. McCord waited for Harrison to work his way over the middle before dropping a pass to his top wideout, who made a bee-line toward the sideline, ran around a Carnell Tate block and then crossed the goal line for six.
1. Harrison caps Rose Bowl hat trick, ties game in fourth quarter
Harrison was part of the Buckeyes’ Rose Bowl comeback late, too, hauling in his third and final touchdown in the fourth quarter to tie the game, 38-38, which Ohio State won, 48-45. Stroud looked left and threw left for Harrison, who brought down the score as part of his six-catch outing. Keep in mind, before that herculean effort, he had five receptions all year as a true freshman.
Candidates to replace Tony Alford as Buckeyes running backs coach
Tony Alford is the latest coach to make the rare move from within the rivalry. The longtime Ohio State running backs coach, who helped bridge the gap between the Urban Meyer and Ryan Day eras, is taking on the same position at Michigan.
Alford spent nine years with the Buckeyes and was expected to have a tremendous 2024 with maybe the best tandem in college football, thanks to the addition of Ole Miss standout Quinshon Judkins and the return of Ohio Star star TreVeyon Henderson.
With Alford gone, Day and the Buckeyes need to find a new running backs coach quickly, considering the team is already two practices into spring ball.
Lettermen Row compiled a list of candidates to fill the vacancy. Check that list out here.
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ICYMI: Lettermen Row’s coverage of the first week of Ohio State spring football
Ohio State spring football is back. The Buckeyes held their first two practices in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center last week before spring break, and Lettermen Row was on site for each of them.
Miss our coverage? Check it out now!
Counting Down
Buckeyes vs. Akron: 170 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 261 days
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