2013 NFL Draft: Mark Harrison Prospect Profile

Nov 29, 2012; Piscataway, NJ, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Mark Harrison (81) gets by Louisville Cardinals safety Calvin Pryor (25) for the touchdown during the first half at High Point Solutions Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

University of Rutgers’ wide receiver Mark Harrison may very well be the best wide receiver you’ve never heard of. Playing in the weak Big East, Harrison doesn’t get as much national attention as some other wide receivers across the landscape of college football. His stats are indicative of why he doesn’t receive the national recognition. Having only caught 44 passes for 583 yards and six touchdowns during his senior year, you could expect Harrison won’t hear his name called early on in the NFL Draft.

Measurables:

Strengths:

Without having a productive season, Harrison is still seen as an immensely talented wide receiver. His sheer size and athletic ability will garner attention in many war rooms on April 25th. At 6’3″ and 230 pounds, his is very similar in size to that of Justin Hunter (wide receiver from the University of Tennessee) and athletic ability as well. Harrison turned many scouts heads at the combine with his performance, he had one of the best broad jumps at 129 inches.

Harrison has shown that he is more than capable of shedding a tackler and taking it the distance. With the change in the way most defensive backs play, this will come in handy in most situations. Corners and safetys are afraid to go for the big hit due to fear of being flagged, advantage Harrison. He will fit very well in the slot against safetys and slot corners, this should create a mismatch that most quarterbacks will expose.

Weaknesses:

The largest question mark on Harrison will be his lack of production while at Rutgers. His sophomore season he caught 44 passes for 829 yards and nine touchdowns and Harrison seemed to be soaring to the top of the Big East and NCAA as a top pass catcher. However during his junior season he managed only 14 receptions for 274 yards and two touchdowns. Can Harrison play consistently against stiffer talent? In his defense the quarterback play at his alma mater was very mediocre at best, I don’t believe they used his talents correctly.

Harrison must work on his physicality in order to become an all around receiver. He can’t rely on his speed to get beyond corners to become a true threat down field. Cornerbacks in the NFL will jam him at the line and within the first five yards, working on his upper body strength will allow Harrison to continue his routes as to not disrupt timing routes. This will also help him when blocking down field.

Projection:

Mark Harrison will not hear his name called on day one, however he could sneak into the late third round with a good pro day workout and individual workouts. His natural and playmaking abilities will catch scouts eyes and should be a solid player at the next level. I have him as a fourth round pick as it stands now.

Grade: 6.5/10.0