The Ohio State Buckeyes failed to make the College Football Playoff and finished ranked seventh in the nation. While reports are that junior wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has not officially decided on his future of whether he will return to the Ohio State Buckeyes next season or enter the 2024 NFL draft, his availability for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic has been announced.
NEWS: Ohio State star WR Marvin Harrison Jr. will not play tonight in the Cotton Bowl vs Missouri. https://t.co/OM0FDSi1I6 pic.twitter.com/VDi56dvQpM
— On3 (@On3sports) December 29, 2023
Marvin Harrison Jr. has been a star throughout his collegiate career and was a finalist for the 2023 Heisman Trophy, the only non-quarterback to do so. On the season, he finished with 67 receptions for 1,211 yards (18.1 yards per catch) with 14 receiving touchdowns as well as a pair of rushing attempts for 26 yards (13.0 yards per carry).
The Ohio State Buckeyes were already dealing with quarterback Kyle McCord not playing due to transferring to the Syracuse Orange so this will definitely be interesting for the Buckeyes’ chances. The betting odds for this game have remained as Ohio State being favored by five points and Marvin Harrison Jr. did not practice so the writing was on the wall.
Should Marvin Harrison Jr. return to the Ohio State Buckeyes or join the 2024 NFL draft?
This seems like a simple answer as many people would jump at the fact he can go pro and just begin his NFL career. However, it is reported that he wanted to do two things in college football: beat the Michigan Wolverines and play in LucasOil Stadium for the Big Ten Conference Championship Game. Since he joined the Buckeyes, they are 0-3 in “The Game” and failed to make the Big Ten Conference Championship Game.
That can weigh on his mind as a feeling of regret never getting to complete either of his goals but if he looks at the state of the Ohio State Buckeyes, things are changing rapidly. The Buckeyes won’t have their starting quarterback and his draft stock is not going to get higher than what it is now.
There are conversations of the Chicago Bears taking him with the first pick in the 2024 NFL draft and pairing him with Justin Fields if they choose to not go with a quarterback. The option to return to school is nice but the logical decision would be to go pro and get ready for April’s NFL draft.
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