Report: "First-Round" NIL Money May Keep Heisman Finalist Harrison Jr. at Ohio State

Buckeyes' star "allegedly" has massive NIL offers to inspire his return to school

With the transfer portal in full swing and the NFL Draft early entry deadline approaching on January 15, the college football rumor mill - especially around NIL dollars - is wide open.

According to Christian Williams of Footballguys, Ohio State star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. and running back TreVeyon Henderson - who announced a return to the Buckeyes already - have been offered NIL deals that mirror the compensation of what a first-round NFL Draft pick could earn, in hopes of inspiring a return to Columbus next season.

Harrison is projected to go as high as No. 2 in the NFL Draft, so that financial figure could be close to $25 million, per Sports Illustrated's Andrew Brandt.

The Heisman Trophy finalist has one more year of eligibility and shared with media on Thursday that he is still "undecided" about his future - alluding to Ohio State's loss to Michigan as the inspiration for a potential return - so there is a glimmer of hope for Buckeye fans.

"You guys know, coming into this year, I wanted to beat 'The Team Up North' and win a Big Ten championship." Harrison said at a Heisman Trophy press conference. "And obviously I didn't do that this year. So I think that's a great motive to come back, if that's what I decide to do, because that's something I definitely wanted to do in my Ohio State career. Not being able to have done that yet definitely opens the door for me to come back."

The Biletnikoff Award finalist has nothing left to prove on the field - so it's unlikely he returns to Ohio State in 2024 - after pulling in 1,211 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns on the season. He was named the Big Ten's Offensive Player of the Year and set schools records this season with eight 100-yard games and a streak of eight straight games with a touchdown catch.

Harrison is Ohio State's first unanimous All-American wide receiver and just the fourth at his position in the last 15 years to earn Heisman Trophy finalist honors, joining Amari Cooper of Alabama, Dede Westbrook of Oklahoma and 2020 winner DeVonta Smith of Alabama. 

The Buckeye will be honored Saturday night alongside Heisman Trophy finalists Jayden Daniels of LSU, Bo Nix of Oregon and Michael Penix Jr. of Washington.

Former NFL great and current CBS Sports analyst J.J. Watt put Harrison's decision into perspective, sharing his point of view on NIL dollars versus starting the process of NFL players working toward their second contract.

Marvin Harrison Jr. will go Top 5 in the upcoming draft.

He’ll average ~$9M/yr over 4 years.
$9M would be a gigantic NIL number.

More importantly, if he stays, he’s one year further away from the massively lucrative 2nd contract.

He’s earned the opportunity and he deserves it. https://t.co/JachgIhLkS

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 7, 2023

Brandt shared additional insight on the contract side of things for players like Harrison and defending Heisman Trophy winner and likely top NFL Draft selection, Caleb Williams of USC.

People, players like Caleb Williams and Marvin Harrison are not going back to school. To pass up $35 million first contracts and delay second contracts, potentially worth hundreds of millions, for NIL money is pure folly. Please.

— Andrew Brandt (@AndrewBrandt) December 7, 2023

Harrison's NIL portfolio includes partnerships with the likes of Kane Footwear, Bath & BodyWorks, Dr. Teal's and Chipotle, among others.

Regardless of Harrison's NFL decision, he is unlikely to play in 11-1 Ohio State's December 29 Cotton Bowl matchup versus Missouri. The Buckeyes missed out on the College Football Playoff after a regular season finale loss to Michigan.