During an offseason press conference, former Ohio State and current Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was asked why OSU wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. should be the first wide receiver selected in the 2024 NFL draft.

For Stroud, it's simple. He called for NFL executives to "put on the tape."

"Whoever's up there, be smart," Stroud said. "Don't be dumb."

Stroud said Harrison, the reigning Biletnikoff Award winner, a two-time All-American and a Heisman Trophy finalist, has "done it really from his freshman year... to now." And while attention has gone to other receivers such as LSU's Malik Nabers and Washington's Rome Odunze, Stroud said he doesn't understand the conversation of Harrison falling on draft boards.

"I read something like he's NFL ready, but other guys have more potential," Stroud said. "That makes no sense. Like, what? If you're NFL ready, how is there not potential? You want longevity, you want somebody that's been doing it. For him, that's what he sleeps, he eats and he breathes."

Harrison is the only receiver in Ohio State history to have two 1,000-yard campaigns. He has the sixth-most receptions (155), the sixth-most receiving yards (2,613) and the third-most touchdown catches (31) in program history.

Stroud complimented Harrison's talent. But to Stroud, Harrison proved to be an important leader in Ohio State's wide receiver room, especially after Jaxon Smith-Njigba was sidelined for the majority of the 2022 season with a hamstring injury.

"I would love to play with him again," Stroud said of Harrison. "I know I probably won't get that opportunity for awhile. But I'm super, super proud of him."

Harrison is projected to be a top-five selection in the 2024 NFL draft April 25.

Get more Ohio State football news by listening to our podcasts

 cgay@dispatch.com 

@_ColinGay

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: C.J. Stroud thinks Marvin Harrison Jr. should be first WR taken in 2024 NFL draft