Harrison becomes only 2nd Buckeye to win Biletnikoff
COVER PHOTO: Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison, Jr. throws a stiff arm on Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter during the second quarter. The Buckeyes beat the Nittany Lions, 20-12. Picture by Sam Fahmi/Columbus Wired.
Marvin Harrison, Jr. has now definitively cemented his place in Ohio State football history by becoming only the second player to win the coveted Biletnikoff Award, which is handed out to the nation's best receiver.
This was the second year in a row Harrison finished as a finalist.
The Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation, who officially hands out the award, adorned Harrison with the honor as the announcement was made during ESPN’s annual College Football Awards show on Friday night.
A national selection committee consisting of over 650 journalists, commentators, broadcasters and former players annually select the winner.
Harrison joins Terry Glenn, who won it in 1995, as the only other Buckeye to take home the hardware. Glenn's win came in only the second year of the award's existence, which is named after College and Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff.
Harrison Jr. is the fifth Big Ten player to win the Biletnikoff and the first in 19 years, since Michigan's Braylon Edwards won it in 2004.
The Big Ten’s Offensive Player of the Year and Wide Receiver of the Year, Harrison Jr. can now add Biletnikoff Award winner and Heisman Trophy finalist to his growing list of awards and accolades. He finished the regular season with 67 receptions for 1,211 yards and 14 touchdowns, which is second-most in the country.
Nationally, Harrison Jr. ranks ninth in receiving yards per game (100.9), ninth in total receiving yards (1,211) and third in 100-yard receiving games (eight). He’s caught at least one touchdown pass in 10 games this season, including the last eight.
In Ohio State’s record books, Harrison Jr. is third in career touchdown receptions (31), first in 100-yard games (15) and sixth in both career receptions (155) and receiving yards (2,613). He’s the first Ohio State receiver to have consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and is also the first to be a two-time All-American. He’s already been a first-team selection by CBS Sports, USA Today, The Athletic, Pro Football Focus and Sports Illustrated.