CJ Stroud: If Marvin Harrison Jr. doesn't win the Heisman Trophy, 'it's rigged'

Marvin Harrison Jr. continues to make an interesting Heisman Trophy case at Ohio State. The Buckeyes standout and likely top-five pick in the NFL Draft is one of the top playmakers in the nation and is the centerpiece of the offense this year.

It’s led to chatter about whether he should be part of the group of finalists at the Heisman ceremony this year. His former quarterback, CJ Stroud, made it clear where he stands.

“Marvin is the best player in the country. If he doesn’t win the Heisman, it’s rigged,” Stroud said on Tom Brady’s Let’s Go! podcast. “I’m calling it now. If he does not win the Heisman, it is rigged.”

Harrison’s highlight reel is one of the best in college football this year. He ranks second in the nation with 12 receiving touchdown and eighth in the FBS with 128.4 receiving yards per game. In fact, his 1,063 total receiving yards account for 36.6% of Ohio State’s team total.

Entering Week 12, Harrison has the fourth-best odds to win the award, according to BetMGM. He’s hoping to become the first wide receiver to win the award since DeVonta Smith in 2020 and just the second since Desmond Howard in 1991.

Marvin Harrison Jr. will be key for Ohio State against Michigan

Stroud knows first-hand just how talented Harrison is. The two linked up for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago before the Houston Texans selected Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft. Harrison is hoping for a similar fate, finding his name atop many mock draft boards as the season begins to wind down.

He’s also a big reason Ohio State is the No. 1 team in the country entering Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings reveal. Of course, the Buckeyes’ path to a national championship runs through the final game of the regular season against rival Michigan. Assuming both teams win this week, the winner will head to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship game.

Stroud expressed confidence the Buckeyes can get the better of the Wolverines after back-to-back losses. During a podcast with Brady — a Michigan legend — he didn’t hold back with his thoughts on Michigan with The Game a little over a week away.

“We’re playing our best ball in November, which you want to see,” Stroud said. “Coach Day is leading those guys. … Hopefully, we pull it out. We need it, man. We’re tired of losing to you guys. But you guys are always a great team. I hate you guys … I’m smiling on the outside, but I’m mad on the inside.”