Ohio State Fans Already Panicked On First Day Of Spring Ball As Star WR Marvin Harrison Jr. Returns Punts
Ohio State football began its spring practice on Tuesday and fans are already panicked. Video from the morning showed star wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. returning punts, which was not what Buckeyes fans had hoped to see.
Harrison, a junior, is set to be one of the top pass-catchers – if not the top pass-catcher — selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Harrison Jr., the son of a Pro Football Hall of Famer, is an absolute freak.
Not only does Harrison stand 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, he runs a 4.6ish 40-yard dash and has a catch radius that is simply unmatched on the collegiate level. He caught 77 passes for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore, and made ridiculous catches all season.
His insane offseason workouts may be an ever greater testament to his athleticism.
All of this goes to say that if Ohio State is to find success in 2023, Harrison needs to be on the field. And to be on the field, he needs to be healthy, which is why the fanbase was infuriated and worried by Monday's practice.
Harrison was returning punts.
Kickoffs and punts cause more injuries. That is not necessarily new news, but the numbers back it up.
Between the punt and the kickoff, there’s a disproportionate number of concussions occurring on only a couple plays.
An examination of NFL injury data found that about 30% of all torn ACLs are on special teams plays, even though those represent about 17% of all plays. Concussions and other lower body injuries also saw an increase on special teams plays.
While the FBS isn't the NFL, the overarching sentiment remains the same. Injuries are more likely to occur on punts and kickoffs.
Thus, Buckeyes fans don't want to see Harrison returning punts.
Just because Harrison is returning punts on the first day of spring ball does not mean that he will be in that role come August. That said, should he be back to return kicks on Sept. 2, when Ohio State travels to Indiana, hell will be raised in Columbus.