Marvin Harrison Jr. is now a New Balance athlete.
On Tuesday, the former Ohio State wide receiver announced a multi-year partnership with New Balance. As part of the deal, Harrison will help debut the brand’s first-ever American football cleat at the 2024 NFL draft in Detroit, where Harrison will be one of the top prospects selected on Thursday.
Harrison is the first offensive player and third player overall that New Balance has signed to an endorsement deal. The brand’s two defensive players are former Ohio State and current New Orleans Saints defensive end Chase Young and Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr.
“From the first conversation with Marvin, it was clear that he was a perfect fit for us at New Balance,” Naveen Lokesh, a New Balance marketing executive, told Aaron Dodson of Andscape in a statement. “Marvin’s drive, passion and incredible work ethic speak to the person that he is on and off the field. His dedication to everything he does will help us launch New Balance into the American Football category and push the boundaries of what athletes can do to inspire the next generation. We are excited to start this journey together and co-author our legacy in sport culture.”
Harrison told Dodson he wants to impact the next generation of football players as a New Balance athlete. He believes the “family values” he and New Balance share will help him accomplish that goal.
“The values that New Balance and I share have aligned,” Harrison said. “Most importantly, the brand will allow me to have an impact on the community and the younger generation. I want to inspire young athletes to be great in their own way.”
Across three seasons at Ohio State, Harrison collected 155 receptions for 2,613 yards and 31 touchdowns. In 2023, he earned his second consecutive unanimous All-American accolade and won the Biletnikoff Award. Harrison was also a Heisman Trophy finalist and placed fourth behind Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix.
On Thursday, Harrison looks to be the first wide receiver taken in the 2024 NFL draft. Most recent mock drafts project the 6-foot-4, 209-pound pass catcher to be either the fourth or fifth overall pick with the Arizona Cardinals and Los Angeles Chargers being top candidates to draft him.
