When Marvin Harrison Jr. was lighting up the Big Ten, he dropped a quote that most people brushed off as big-brother hyperbole. He said his younger brother, Jett, was "more talented" than he was at the same age. We’ve heard that before. Every star athlete says their younger sibling is the real deal. But then you see the kid play.
Ohio State football recruiting Jett Harrison isn't just a legacy story. It’s a pursuit of a player who might actually live up to the impossible billing.
Jett is a Class of 2028 wide receiver. He’s currently at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia—the same factory that produced Marvin Jr. and Kyle McCord. While he’s only a sophomore, the hype has reached a fever pitch. In September 2025, Jett put on a show against St. Frances Academy, a national powerhouse loaded with blue-chip defensive backs. He caught four touchdowns. One was a 76-yard slant where he made defenders look like they were running in sand. Another was a one-handed snag that immediately went viral on social media.
People are starting to realize Marvin wasn't lying.
The Brian Hartline Factor and the Early Offer
In the world of college football, an offer from Brian Hartline is the ultimate seal of approval for a wide receiver. Hartline doesn't hand these out for PR stunts. He doesn't care if your dad is in the Hall of Fame if you can't create separation on a 10-yard dig.
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Ohio State officially offered Jett Harrison in May 2025.
It was a big moment. He was the 22nd player in the 2028 class to get the green light from the Buckeyes. While other schools like Penn State, Oregon, and Syracuse (his father’s alma mater) are firmly in the mix, the connection to Columbus is visceral. Jett has basically grown up around the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. He’s seen the "Zone 6" culture firsthand.
He’s currently measured around 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds. He’s a bit leaner than Marvin was at this stage, but his route running is eerily polished. That’s the "Harrison DNA." Their father, Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison Sr., has been training them on the nuances of the position since they could walk. You can see it in the way Jett sinks his hips at the top of a route. Most 15-year-olds rely on raw speed. Jett relies on geometry and timing.
Comparing Jett to Marvin Jr.
It’s unfair, honestly. Every time Jett makes a catch, the side-by-side clips start appearing. But if we’re being objective, there are differences.
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- Marvin Jr.: Was a technician who grew into a physical specimen. By his sophomore year at Ohio State, he was a 6-foot-4 monster who could outjump anyone.
- Jett: Seems to have a bit more "twitch" in the open field. His acceleration after the catch is arguably more explosive than his brother's was at the same age.
On3 and Rivals have already flagged him as a top-10 national recruit for 2028. Some services even have him as the No. 2 wide receiver in the country for his cycle. The "legacy" tag gets you in the door, but the four-touchdown performance against national No. 4 St. Frances is what keeps the coaches calling at 12:01 AM.
Can Anyone Beat Out the Buckeyes?
Recruiting is never a done deal until the fax machine hums on National Signing Day. But let’s be real.
The Buckeyes have a massive head start. Marvin Jr. has gone on record saying Jett wants to "follow in my footsteps." That’s a powerful pull. However, Syracuse is a sentimental favorite because of their father. Oregon is also lurking. Dan Lanning has turned the Ducks into a recruiting juggernaut with an NIL war chest that can compete with anyone.
Despite the competition, the infrastructure at Ohio State is tailored for a player like Jett. He knows the system. He knows Hartline. He knows that if he goes to Columbus, he’ll likely be a first-round NFL Draft pick.
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It's a business decision as much as a family one.
What Happens Next for Jett?
He still has two more years of high school ball. That’s a lot of time for things to change. He’ll continue to grow, likely hitting that 6-foot-3 mark if he follows the family growth chart.
The next step for Jett is navigating the "Sophomore Slump" that never seems to hit the Harrisons. He was named a MaxPreps Sophomore All-American in January 2026. He’s already the focal point of every defensive coordinator’s game plan in the Philadelphia Catholic League.
For Ohio State fans, the mission is simple: keep the relationship warm. The Buckeyes are currently the team to beat, but they have to weather the storm of every other major program in America trying to poach the next great Harrison.
Keep an eye on his visit schedule for the 2026 season. If he’s on the sidelines for the Michigan game in Columbus, you can start feeling a lot more confident about where he’s headed.
Actionable Insights for Following This Recruitment:
- Monitor the visit list: Watch for Jett’s name on the guest list for Ohio State’s "Saturday Night Lights" camps or major home games in 2026.
- Track the physical growth: If Jett hits 6-foot-3 before his junior year, his ceiling goes from "elite college player" to "generational prospect."
- Watch the Hartline effect: If Brian Hartline stays at Ohio State (amid constant head coaching rumors), the Buckeyes remain the heavy favorites.