If you’ve been following NFL draft coverage, you’ve likely noticed one number conspicuously missing from Marvin Harrison Jr.’s pre-draft profile: a 40-yard dash time. The Arizona Cardinals still took him 4th overall in 2024, trusting his on-field explosiveness – which peaked at 22.2 mph on a single play – over a stopwatch number he decided not to run.

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Height: 6’3″ ·
Weight: 205 lbs ·
40-yard dash (official): Did not run at combine or pro day ·
Max speed recorded: 22.2 mph ·
Vertical jump: 30.6 inches ·
NFL draft pick: 4th overall, 2024

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact 40 time if he had run (no official data)
  • Playing weight (reports vary 202–208 lbs)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • 2024 season: first NFL action with Arizona Cardinals
  • Future combine? Unlikely – veterans rarely re-run

Marvin Harrison Jr. Physical Profile

Seven verified data points, one clear picture: a receiver built for the modern NFL – tall, explosive, and productive at the college level.

Measurement Value
Height 6’3″
Weight 205 lbs
40-yard dash (official) Not timed (did not run)
Max speed (game) 22.2 mph
Vertical jump 30.6 inches
Draft pick 4th overall, 2024 (Arizona Cardinals)
College stats (2023) 67 rec, 1,211 yds, 14 TDs, Biletnikoff Award

How fast can Marvin Harrison Jr. run?

The simplest answer comes from game film, not a stopwatch. Harrison hit 22.2 mph on a 58-yard touchdown reception against Youngstown State in 2023 – a velocity that, according to a fan-driven analysis on Reddit, was faster than any speed recorded by an NFL player during the entire 2023 season.

What was his max speed recorded?

  • 22.2 mph – Youngstown State TD (2023). That speed exceeds the NFL’s 2023 season high (PFF receiver comparison).
  • PFF analysts noted Harrison’s top speed is in the same range as Brian Thomas Jr. (around 21.6–21.7 mph).

How does his speed compare to NFL receivers?

  • 22.2 mph would have ranked 1st among all NFL ball-carriers in 2023.
  • Rashee Rice (Chiefs) hit 20.5 mph; Tyreek Hill (Dolphins) maxed at 22.0 mph in 2023 – Harrison’s college burst already matches elite pro speed.

The implication: When you watch Harrison run a deep route, the stopwatch becomes secondary. His speed is already NFL-elite.

What was Marvin Harrison Jr.’s 40 time?

Official answer: none. Harrison did not run the 40-yard dash at the 2024 NFL Combine or at Ohio State’s pro day. The only published number is a 4.60 from his high school recruiting profile on ESPN (recruiting database) – recorded when he was a 17-year-old senior at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia.

Why didn’t he run at the combine?

“Marvin Harrison Jr. didn’t run a 40 because his tape answers all the questions. He proved he is quarterback-proof and his best fit in the draft…”

Robert Griffin III (via Facebook video, draft analysis)

  • Harrison participated in position drills at the combine but skipped the 40, citing his extensive game tape as sufficient evidence of speed.
  • Field Yates (NFL Network analyst) called Harrison “one of the most pro-ready players in the class,” adding that his body control and run-after-catch ability make him dangerous after the catch.

What do scouts say about his speed?

  • NFL Draft Buzz (scouting aggregator) projects a 4.39 40, though that figure is an estimate, not a timed result.
  • NFL.com’s official prospect profile lists no timed speed, focusing instead on his route polish and separation ability.

The catch: Without a verified combine time, teams had to trust the tape. The Cardinals clearly did – they used the 4th overall pick on him.

How does Marvin Harrison Jr. compare to other players in the 40-yard dash?

Three benchmarks from known times – a quarterback, a sprinter, and another receiver – put Harrison’s absence in perspective.

Athlete Official 40 time Context
Cameron Skattebo (RB, Arizona State) 4.50 2024 combine time
Usain Bolt (Olympic sprinter) 4.22 2010 Super Bowl promotional event (NFL.com (Bolt 40-yard dash event report))
Romeo Doubs (WR, Packers) 4.47 2022 combine (NFL.com (Doubs combine profile))

What this means: If Harrison had run at the combine, he would likely have landed in the 4.48–4.60 range based on his high school time and body type – faster than some, slower than elite burners. His game speed, however, already exceeds what those numbers suggest.

What are Marvin Harrison Jr.’s physical measurables?

His frame and college production tell the story of a receiver who wins with technique and build, not just raw speed.

Height, weight, vertical jump

  • Height: 6’3″ (ESPN)
  • Weight: 205 lbs (listed at combine; some reports have 202–208 lbs)
  • Vertical jump: 30.6 inches (ESPN)

College stats (2023)

  • Receptions: 67
  • Receiving yards: 1,211
  • Touchdowns: 14
  • Awards: Biletnikoff Award (nation’s top receiver)

Why this matters: Harrison’s production against Big Ten defenses – including elite corners – made his speed moot. The stats prove he separates, catches, and scores at an elite rate.

Is Marvin Harrison Jr. slow?

Short answer: no. The question arose solely because he didn’t run a 40. A look at the game tape settles the debate.

Why do some fans think he is slow?

  • Without an official 40 time, internet forums filled the gap with speculation.
  • Some compare him unfavorably to receivers who ran sub-4.40 at the combine, failing to account for his game speed.

How did he perform in games?

  • On the 22.2 mph TD, he ran past a safety and outran the pursuit angle – a play that requires both acceleration and top-end speed.
  • Field Yates (NFL Network) emphasized that Harrison’s route running and catch radius make him a mismatch regardless of stopwatch numbers.

“Marvin Harrison Jr. recorded a speed of 22.2 MPH on his TD last year against Youngstown State, which was faster than any speed recorded in the entire NFL in 2023.”

Reddit user (r/AZCardinals)

The trade-off: The 40-yard dash measures acceleration and straight-line speed. Harrison’s tape shows he wins with change of direction, body control, and contested catches – attributes the combine doesn’t measure.

Quotes and expert perspectives

“Marvin Harrison Jr. didn’t run a 40 because his tape answers all the questions. He proved he is quarterback-proof and his best fit in the draft is with a team that can get him the ball and let him operate.”

Robert Griffin III (former NFL quarterback, via Facebook video)

“He is one of the most pro-ready players in this draft class. His body control and run-after-catch ability make him especially dangerous once the ball is in his hands.”

Field Yates (NFL Network analyst, via YouTube analysis)

The upshot

The 40-yard dash absence created a vacuum that only tape could fill. For the Arizona Cardinals, who drafted Harrison 4th overall, the decision was straightforward: 22.2 mph game speed plus collegiate dominance beats any combine number.

Why this matters

Beyond Harrison, this case illustrates a growing NFL trend: teams are prioritizing contextual speed (tracked in games via Next Gen Stats) over combine sprint times. If a receiver can separate and accelerate on Sunday, the Thursday stopwatch becomes a secondary indicator.

Summary

Marvin Harrison Jr. enters the NFL without a 40-yard dash time – and it doesn’t matter. His 22.2 mph burst, Biletnikoff-winning production, and 6’3″ frame made him the first non-quarterback selected in the 2024 draft. For the Cardinals, the choice is clear: they drafted a receiver whose game speed speaks louder than any combine stopwatch could. For other teams evaluating prospects, the lesson is to watch the film before the clock.

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Frequently asked questions

How does Marvin Harrison Jr.’s speed compare to his father’s?

Marvin Harrison Sr. (Hall of Fame WR) played in an era without widespread Next Gen Stats, but his game speed was elite. The younger Harrison is taller and heavier, but both share exceptional route-running ability. No official 40 time exists for the son, making a direct comparison speculative.

What is the fastest 40-yard dash time ever recorded by a wide receiver?

John Ross (Washington) holds the combine record at 4.22 seconds (2017). Among other sub-4.30 receivers: Chris Johnson (4.24), Marquise Goodwin (4.27), and Xavier Worthy (4.25, 2024).

Did Marvin Harrison Jr. participate in the NFL Combine?

Yes, he attended the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine and participated in position drills, but he did not run the 40-yard dash, broad jump, or shuttle drills, opting to let his game tape serve as his speed resume.

What is Marvin Harrison Jr.’s 40 time according to high school recruiting?

ESPN’s recruiting profile lists a 4.60-second 40-yard dash, recorded when he was a senior at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia (ESPN (recruiting database)).

Why do some analysts consider Marvin Harrison Jr. a top prospect despite no 40 time?

Because his college tape shows elite separation, body control, and run-after-catch ability. Analysts like Field Yates and Robert Griffin III pointed to his 22.2 mph game speed and 1,200+ yard seasons as stronger evidence than a linear sprint.

What is the average 40 time for wide receivers in the NFL?

According to NFL Combine data, the average 40-yard dash for drafted wide receivers since 2015 is approximately 4.48 seconds. Harrison’s high school time of 4.60 is below that average, but his game speed metrics exceed it.

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