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Marvin Harrison Jr. named Biletnikoff Award finalist

IMG_7408by:Andy Backstrom•11/29/22•

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Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. is tied for third in the country with 12 receiving touchdowns this season. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)

COLUMBUS — Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. does something on the football field just about every week that’s unhuman. There’s a virality to his catches — which often call for body contortion and/or impeccable hand-eye coordination — that has made him a superstar in his sophomore season.

He was recognized as such Tuesday morning when he was named a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the best receiver in college football.

Harrison is one of three finalists. The others are Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt and Iowa State’s Xavier Hutchinson.

Harrison is coming off a seven-grab, 120-yard game against Michigan, in which he pulled in a 42-yard touchdown reception that lifted the Buckeyes ahead of the Wolverines, 20-17, before halftime.

Harrison is tied for third nationally with 12 touchdown catches this season. Only Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt and Houston’s Nathaniel Dell have more (they’re each at 15 on the year).

Harrison is eighth in the FBS in receiving yards (1,157), and his 72 catches are tied for 17th most in the country. He’s tied for third in Pro Football Focus receiving grade (90.0), too.

Of players with at least 105 targets this season, Harrison is the only one without multiple drops, per PFF. The Philadelphia native’s first drop came last week in the regular season finale versus Michigan.

Harrison emerged as Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud’s top target in 2022 after Harrison’s breakout game in last year’s Rose Bowl. The 6-foot-4 Harrison flashed with six grabs in the thrilling victory, three of which went for touchdowns.

Buckeyes slot receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba came into the year as a Biletnikoff favorite, but injury has limited Smith-Njigba most of the season. Instead, Harrison filled that void.

Harrison, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, has asserted himself as one of the best in the FBS in just his second year in a Buckeyes uniform.

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