Marvin Harrison Jr. says he's the best wide receiver in Ohio State history

10 NFL Hall of Famers have called Ohio State their home in the past. That includes legendary Buckeyes wide receiver Cris Carter.

Many look at Carter, who caught 150 passes for 2,725 yards and 27 touchdowns as a Buckeye and is argued to be one of the greatest to ever play the position. According to former Ohio State star Marvin Harrison Jr., he means no disrespect but can confidently say he’s surpassed Carter on the Buckeyes’ ladder.

“I think I’m the best,” Harrison Jr. said.

Setting NFL careers aside — and Harrison Jr. hasn’t even played a real NFL snap at this point — statistcally speaking, the Arizona Cardinals’ first round pick has a point.

Not only was Harrison Jr. more productive numbers-wise during his college career, but he did so in just two seasons compared to Carter’s two, meaning his per game stats are much greater with 90.1 yards per game on average compared to Carter’s 77.8.

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“Look at it from a numbers standpoint on a per game basis — because Michael Jenkins and Cris Carter, they started their freshman year,” he continued. “I didn’t start my freshman year, I played in one game during my freshman year. If you look at the accolades — two-time receiver of the year, Big Ten Player of the Year, unanimous All-American back-to-back years. I did it all. From an Ohio State standpoint, they always say, ‘Oh, you didn’t beat the team up north.’ I mean, I didn’t, I guess that’s a team kind of accomplishment.

“That’s why I think I’m the best. From an accolade and statistical standpoint. Obviously, talent-wise we have some greats. Cris Carter is a Hall of Famer, I can never discredit him.”

Jenkins is the all-time leader in receiving yards in Ohio State history, finishing his three-year career with 2,898 receiving yards but didn’t score nearly as many touchdowns as Harrison Jr. and Carter with just 16. Still, Harrison Jr. sits sixth all-time in Ohio State receiving yards behind both Carter and Jenkins.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba claims the most productive single season in Ohio State wide receiver history with 1,606 yards in 2022 which included a program-record 347 yards in the Rose Bowl against Utah.

Despite this, Harrison Jr. finished with 1,263 receiving yards in 2022 and 1,211 in 2023 (without playing in the bowl game), both are good for the fourth and fifth-best single season receiver totals in Ohio State history. He’s also third all-time in Buckeyes history in touchdowns with 31.

Regardless of where you fall in the Buckeyes GOAT wide receiver debate, there’s no denying how pivotal all of those men were to the Buckeyes’ offensive attack during their day. Now, it’s on Harrison Jr. to follow in their footsteps in the NFL.