Marvin Harrison Jr embraced his former coach after being selected by the Arizona Cardinaks in the NFL Draft on Friday night.
The young star was the first non-quarterback to be snapped up in Detroit, right after quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye were picked. The Cardinals made a decisive move by choosing Harrison Jr. as the No. 4 overall pick and at just 21, he's set to become the Cardinals' top wide receiver and Kyler Murray's go-to guy on the field.
The moment his name was announced, an emotional Harrison Jr. hugged his ex-coach Ryan Day before striding onto the stage in Detroit. He confidently backed his early selection as the first wideout, declaring: "I just had trust in my abilities. I worked so hard to get to this point."
During his tenure with Ohio State, Harrison Jr. racked up an impressive 2,613 receiving yards and snagged 31 touchdowns. His standout performances over the last two seasons, with over 65 catches, more than 1,200 yards, and 14 touchdowns each year, have made him a household name across the nation.
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With the Cardinals lacking a receiver who broke the 600-yard mark last season, Harrison Jr. 's record-breaking college stats are a beacon of hope. Marquise Brown, who was second in team receiving yards with 574, has left for the Kansas City Chiefs, making Harrison Jr. 's arrival even more pivotal for Arizona.
Now making his mark in the NFL, Harrison Jr. is set to emulate his legendary dad, Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison. The ex-Indianapolis Colts star reeled in 1,102 catches for a whopping 14,580 yards and 128 touchdowns between 1996-2008, dedicating his entire 13-year career to the team.
Harrison Jr. , who's been rated as PFF's No.2 prospect for this year's draft, is tipped for big things in the pros. Born and bred in Philly, he's got top-notch route-running skills and exceptional body control, with experts touting him as the most polished receiver prospect in recent memory.
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His stellar footwork and agility, coupled with his explosive start off the line, are expected to make him an outstanding deep-threat in the NFL for the foreseeable future. While some prospects chose to watch the NFL Draft from home, Harrison Jr. was keen to be there in person, joining 13 others who journeyed to Detroit.
Speaking about the draft on Wednesday, the young talent expressed his eagerness to experience the moment live, according to NFL.com's Eric Edholm. "It's a lifetime opportunity," he commented. "You only get to walk across the stage and shake the commissioner's hand, so take the opportunity."
Paying tribute to his father, Harrison Jr. sported a bespoke chain that showcased a lion and cub on one side, and an image of Harrison with his young son on the reverse. The Cardinals toyed with the notion of trading away their No. 4 pick and sliding down in the draft order, but ultimately chose to hold firm.
Jeff Howe from The Athletic reported that no teams were "tripping over themselves to pay a premium" for the coveted top-5 spot, leading general manager Monti Ossenfort to take the cautious route and secure Harrison Jr.