Report: Marvin Harrison Jr. skipping NFL Scouting Combine ahead of 2024 draft

Feb 26, 2024, 8:13 AM

Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts prior to a game against the Missouri Tige...

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Marvin Harrison Jr. #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts prior to a game against the Missouri Tigers during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Top draft prospect and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is skipping the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine to better prepare for his rookie season and not the draft, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

Breer added that Harrison Jr. will be in Indianapolis for interviews but has not prepared for the combine.

The news of Harrison opting against the combine comes after NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that USC quarterback and potential No. 1 pick Caleb Williams won’t be throwing or working out until the Trojans’ pro day, though the signal caller would still be in Indianapolis to meet with teams.

According to Breer, Harrison has yet to hire an agent and hasn’t been working on his pre-combine training. Instead, he’s focused on Year 1 in the NFL.

He can simply tell NFL teams to turn on the tape — how he runs a 40, or a three-cone drill, or routes on air probably won’t change how high he’s going to go. His sterling reputation as a worker and a person also give Harrison even more flexibility here. That allows everyone to view Harrison’s plan as strictly a business decision, made with an eye towards having a great rookie year, rather than as some reflection on his character.

In each of his final two seasons at Ohio State, the 6-foot-2, 202-pounder put up at least 1,210 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Throw in the wideout’s work ethic, character and the fact that his dad is Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison and his stock soars even more.

How does Marvin Harrison Jr. skipping the NFL Scouting Combine impact the Cardinals’s 2024 draft?

Short answer: It really doesn’t.

Harrison continues to be the name linked the most to the Arizona Cardinals’ No. 4 pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft this April.

In the continuously updated Arizona Sports Mock Draft Tracker, Harrison is far and away the leader in the clubhouse with 61 of the 96 mock drafts tallied pairing the wide receiver with the Cardinals at No. 4 overall.

If that were to come to fruition this April, it would be viewed as a home run by many given Arizona’s need to add a big target and a No. 1 wide receiver for quarterback Kyler Murray.

Harrison deciding to skip the combine entirely makes sense considering there are two other receivers — Washington’s Rome Odunze and LSU’s Malik Nabers — who are viewed as top-10 draft picks but might not have a path to jumping Harrison on any big boards even if they participate at the combine.

As Arizona’s roster stands Monday, the WRs room is headlined by Michael Wilson, Rondale Moore and Zach Pascal with Hollywood Brown (unrestricted) and Greg Dortch (exclusive rights) testing free agency this offseason.

Adding a player of Harrison’s caliber could go a long way in taking that next offensive step in Year 2 under head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort.

This story was first published by Sactown Sports‘ sister station, Arizona Sports. Thank you for reading SactownSports.com. Follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to our YouTube channel. 

Newsletter

Football

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 12: Ashton Daniels #14 of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates a touchdow...

Field Level Media

No. 21 SMU hits the road for ACC game vs. Stanford

The No. 21 SMU Mustangs make their first Atlantic Coast Conference trip to face Stanford football on Saturday night.

22 days ago

PALO ALTO, CA - SEPTEMBER 7: A high angle view of the ACC logo on the field at Stanford Stadium bef...

Field Level Media

Kyle McCord, Syracuse welcome Stanford to ACC

Stanford makes its Atlantic Coast Conference debut Friday night when it visits Syracuse and its impressive quarterback, Kyle McCord.

2 months ago

Head Coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines lifts the National Championship trophy during th...

Amiliano Fragoso

EA Sports College Football 25 Dynasty Mode Breakdown: Sights, Sounds, Features

With each passing day, we’re getting close to the ultimate prize: EA Sports College Football 25. The highly-anticipated CFFB video game franchise is back, and by the looks of it, better than ever. EA Sports has released various deep dives into different aspects of upcoming game over the past few months. Tuesday brought us an […]

4 months ago

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 21: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers celebrat...

Amiliano Fragoso

49ers Christian McCaffrey named Madden 25 cover athlete

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey has been named the Madden 25 cover athlete, the first for a 49er player in the video game's history.

5 months ago

Brandon Aiyuk #11 of the San Francisco 49ers participates during San Francisco 49ers practice ahead...

Amiliano Fragoso

Brandon Aiyuk WR coach says he is now ‘pessimistic’ about 49ers contract talks

Brandon Aiyuk is apparently feeling more pessimistic about a deal getting done with the 49ers, according to his coach T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

5 months ago

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)...

Amiliano Fragoso

Former 49ers WR Emmanuel Sanders defends Brock Purdy after poor PFF ranking

Former 49ers WR Emmanuel Sanders believes Brock Purdy is still being disrespected by the national media, despite his accolades.

5 months ago

Report: Marvin Harrison Jr. skipping NFL Scouting Combine ahead of 2024 draft