Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Headlines Trio Of Buckeyes 'Freaks'
The acrobatic catches, the gliding route-running abilities and the natural-born talent.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has put all of that on tape the past 14 games, going back to the 2021 Rose Bowl against Utah when he had his coming-out party with the absences of Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. For the second year in a row, Harrison checks in at No. 2 on The Athletic's Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List" — which highlights players with otherworldly athleticism.
Harrison, who trails South Carolina freshman wide receiver Nyckoles Harbor for the top spot, was one of three Buckeyes named to Feldman's top-101 freaks, as safety Sonny Styles is No. 20 and running back Chip Trayanum is No. 37. Former Buckeyes defensive end and Notre Dame transfer Javontae Jean-Baptiste is 82nd on the list as well.
"There isn’t a better player in college football right now, regardless of position," Feldman wrote of Harrison. "At 6-4, 208, the son of a Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver is remarkably gifted. He has everything. He’s very strong — he bench presses 380 pounds and did 20 reps of 225 on the bench and squatted 500.
"He’s very explosive, having broad-jumped 10 feet 8, and he’s really sudden, having clocked a 3.94 in the shuttle and improved on his max velocity from last year, up to 23.5 MPH. Asked for what training result he’s most proud of, he says it’s his 5-10-5, given his height and weight, yet still can run a sub-4-second time."
Harrison told The Athletic that a 4.38-second 40-yard dash is his goal when he competes at the NFL Scouting Combine. Harrison credited his "strict" diet for helping him get into the shape he is in now.
“I try not to eat too much sugar," Harrison said. "I removed mostly dairy out of my diet. Just preparing myself to try and live that pro life and taking care of myself.”
On last season's list, the then-sophomore Harrison trailed former Michigan and now Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Mazi Smith.
Harrison told The Athletic he believes both defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau and Styles are both freaks, and Feldman listened on the latter.
Styles didn't get much play time in his true freshman season, recording nine tackles in 280 snaps, but his role has been carved out to where he will be a weapon in defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' secondary.
"The son of former Buckeye-turned-Super Bowl champ Lorenzo Styles is big enough to play defensive end at most schools," Feldman wrote. "Styles is 6-5, 228 pounds and broad-jumps 11 feet. He vertical-jumped 39 inches this offseason and squatted 600 pounds. He also ran the 40 in the high 4.4s and hit 22 MPH on the GPS. Remember his name this fall."
Trayanum converted from linebacker to running back and carried the load for the banged-up Buckeyes backfield against Michigan last season. He had 83 yards on 14 carries against the Wolverines while also recording 13 tackles over the course on an 11-game season.
"Trayanum is a big, strong, explosive dude," Feldman wrote. "He bench-pressed 415 and squatted 650 this offseason, but he also ran a 40 in the high 4.3s and had a max velocity of 22.2 MPH."
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