Buckeyes’ Marvin Harrison Vs. USC's Caleb Williams: Top Heisman Candidate?

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver is being referred to as the best non-quarterback in college football, but where does he stand in the Heisman race?

Author:
Harrison Reno
Jun 13, 2023 12:45 PM EDT

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Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is already being talked about as a highly anticipated first-round NFL Draft pick next April but is also in the conversation as one of the best players in college football ahead of his junior season.

Former Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer went as far as to claim that he thinks Harrison is "knocking on the door" of Cris Carter's title as the greatest receiver of all time. Meyer's comments came during an episode of "Urban's Take" podcast hosted by Tim May, where the ex-Buckeyes head coach predicted Harrison would win the Heisman Trophy this coming fall.

Meyer is not alone in his belief that Harrison has a legitimate chance, as ON3 recently released their list of top-10 contenders for the most prestigious individual award in college football. Unsurprisingly, Harrison was on the list, ranking No. 10.

"Marvin Harrison is the best non-quarterback in all of college football, and the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner has the best shot to become just the second receiver this century (joining Alabama’s DeVonta Smith) to win the award this century," ON3 writes.

Others on the list included USC's Caleb Williams, who will be looking to win back-to-back Heismans, Florida State's Jordan Travis, Texas's Quinn Ewers, Michigan's J.J. McCarthy, LSU's Jayden Daniels, and UNC's Drake Maye, among others.

No school had two players listed as candidates for the award, but Ohio State did come close, with quarterback Kyle McCord listed as an honorable mention. The addition of McCord as an honorable mention presumes he wins the starting quarterback job over Devin Brown.

It would be hard to imagine that if Harrison does finish as a finalist for the Heisman that whoever the Buckeyes quarterback is doesn't also receive an invitation to New York or at least come close. After all, when DeVonta Smith won it in 2020, he was joined by his Alabama teammate and quarterback Mac Jones in New York as a fellow finalist.