'Not A Slam Dunk?' Kirk Herbstreit Weighs In On Ohio State Buckeyes WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Entering NFL Draft
Ohio State Buckeyes wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. has had another exemplary season on the field, and he's commonly named as the top wideout in most NFL mock drafts for the upcoming season.
While he'd most likely be in high demand as the top wideout chosen in April if that's the direction he wants to pursue, he has yet to make his decision - if he's already made one - public. But that doesn't stop the conjecture and speculation from national media.
During an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show recently, college football analyst and announcer Kirk Herbstreit - an Ohio State alum - said, "I would be shocked if Marvin Harrison Jr. doesn't declare for the NFL."
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Herbstreit was asked if the current NIL situation - which allows student-athletes to be compensated for the use of their name, image, and likeness by the university - could affect Harrison's decision.
The former Buckeyes quarterback said, "It's not just a slam dunk for some of these guys anymore because of NIL. I don't think guys that are going to be potential first-rounders ... especially a guy that will be a top five or top 10, you'll still see those guys come out. ... If you're trying to see Marvin Harrison Jr. in a New England Patriots uniform, I'm sure he'll eventually declare would be my guess."
Sports Illustrated's Luke Easterling named his top 32 available players for next April's NFL Draft back in September and rated the Buckeyes wideout as the second-best prospect in the class - only behind USC quarterback and last year's Heisman Winner Caleb Williams. According to Easterling, most analysts believe Harrison Jr. will be the first non-quarterback taken in the draft, and not many people around the league would argue against that.
