Ohio State Buckeyes Marvin Harrison Jr. Named 2023 Heisman Finalist

Marvin Harrison Jr. becomes the first Ohio State receiver to be named a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Another year, another Heisman finalist from Columbus. 

Ohio State Buckeyes receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was named a 2023 Heisman finalist after a dominant junior season in the Big Ten. Harrison joins LSU's Jayden Daniels, Washington's Michael Penix Jr. and Oregon's Bo Nix as one of four finalists to be invited to New York City for the presentation at Radio City Music Hall on Dec. 9. 

Harrison, who won Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and was named a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, becomes the first Ohio State receiver to become a finalist for college football's highest individual honor. He joins Dwayne Haskins (2018), Justin Fields (2019), Chase Young (2019), and C.J. Stroud (2021, 2022) as the fifth finalist in six seasons. 

While Harrison's 2023 numbers did match the 2022 production that made him a household name, the 6-4 junior still put up quality stats. He caught 67 passes for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Buckeyes en route to an 11-1 finish. He also broke David Boston's 14-game record of 100-plus receiving yard games in program history. 

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) celebrates his touchdown during the first quarter against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium / © Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Harrison's 14 touchdowns are tied for the second-most among FBS receivers behind LSU's Brian Thomas Jr. On multiple occasions, the son of Hall of Fame Indianapolis Colts legend Marvin Harrison would take over games at Kyle McCord's go-to target, most notably in a 20-12 victory over No. 10 Penn State.

Harrison finished with a season-high 11 catches for 162 yards and a touchdown. He also finished with four multi-touchdown games. 

While often awarded to the nation's top quarterback, Harrison could be a dark horse to take home the title. Should he win the award, he'll become the fifth receiver to be given the honor, joining Nebraska’s Johnny Rodgers (1972), Notre Dame’s Tim Brown (1987), Michigan’s Desmond Howard (1991) and Alabama’s DeVonta Smith (2020).

Ohio State Buckeyes RB Miyan Williams Declares for the 2024 NFL Draft

Harrison would also become the first Ohio State player to win the Heisman since Troy Smith in 2006. 

The Heisman Trophy ceremony will be broadcast live on ESPN.