Ryan Day identifies where Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State offense can improve

Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. headlines a number of dangerous offensive weapons heading into 2023. Harrison broke out last season as a sophomore to lead the Buckeyes with 77 catches for 1,264 yards and 14 touchdowns and is expected to again be the team’s primary playmaker in the passing game.

However, as coach Ryan Day pointed out in a recent interview with On3‘s JD PicKell, Harrison isn’t the only one opposing defenses will have to worry about. Ohio State also returns receiver Emeka Egbuka, who is coming off of a 1,000-yard season of his own.

In the backfield, the Buckeyes boast a dangerous trio with Miyan Williams, TreVeyon Henderson and Dallan Hayden, who combined for 1,949 yards and 25 touchdowns this past season. That in mind, the team should be able to keep defenses honest and open up more opportunities for players like Harrison.

“When you look at our entire offense, it’s probably some of the most-skilled players that I’ve been around on one offense,” Day said. “Certainly Marvin has a big part of it, but I think they all understand that they need everybody. Marvin just by himself can get doubled and, no run game, the safeties can pretty much get down and can cover him. When you start running the football on a consistent basis, they’ve gotta bring a safety out of the middle of the field or, if there’s not other good receivers on the field by third down, then he’s just gonna get doubled. He understands that part of it.”

Ohio State finished No. 2 in points per game (44.2) as well as ninth in total offense. The passing game was a big part of that, ranking 14th with 298.3 air yards per game. However, the Buckeyes lose starting quarterback CJ Stroud and have yet to decide on a new No. 1 between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown. That is, without a doubt, the biggest question for the offense this offseason.

Regardless of who ends up being his quarterback, however, Marvin Harrison is working to become a more versatile player in his third season at Ohio State. With the improvement he’s made this spring, Day is confident he can build upon last year.

“We had him in the slot in the spring,” the coach said. “He’s mostly been as an outside receiver and he learned that in the spring, so he’s grown in that area. Just overall, he’s always looking to improve. His work ethic is tremendous.”

Ohio State finished just one point shy of beating eventual national champion Georgia in a College Football Playoff semifinal game last season. Harrison had five catches for 106 yards and two touchdowns in that game, and will hope the work he put in this offseason can help the Buckeyes get farther in 2023.

Ohio State is slated to open the 2023 season on Sept. 2 on the road against Indiana.