Top WR prospect doesn't work out at pro day

After not working out at the NFL Scouting Combine, Harrison also skipped his pro day. The former Buckeyes star informed teams he will not take part in workouts in front of scouts, SI.com’s Albert Breer tweets. 

While it is rather unusual for a healthy player to not work out on a pro day, Harrison does not have much to gain by doing so.

The Cardinals were impressed by Harrison at the NFL Combine, ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss notes, indicating multiple personnel sources did not believe the second-generation wide receiver would be impacted by not working at the annual Indianapolis-based showcase event. 

It is a slightly different matter for a player to then pass on participating at his pro day, but Breer adds Harrison asked the nine teams he met with at the NFL Combine if they needed to see anything from him at the Ohio State pro day. The group responded in the negative.

Harrison’s pre-draft training has veered in this direction for a bit, with it being known the standout prospect has not prepped for drills or the 40-yard dash. 

Instead, the latest Ohio State-developed receiver prospect is readying for an NFL offseason program. Most prospects will not be able to pull off such an effort, but Harrison has secured high enough marks that teams will only be able to judge his game tape.

Harrison eclipsed 1,200 yards in each of his final two college seasons and caught 14 touchdown passes in both years. While the 2024 class features another deep receiver crop, Harrison leads the way. 

Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest ESPN mock draft sends Harrison to the Cardinals at No. 4, while Daniel Jeremiah’s NFL.com offering has the Jets trading up for him at No. 5.

With Harrison not working out today in Columbus (and would-be early-round prospects Emeka Egbuka and TreVeyon Henderson staying in school), Breer adds no GMs or head coaches are slated to be in attendance today. 

If Harrison’s strategy results in his top-five status being unchanged come draft day, this off-grid route during a pre-draft process could be relevant for future high-end prospects.