Hall of Fame
Position: Kick Returner/Wide Receiver
Years: 1992-95
Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Date of Birth: August 25, 1972
Jersey Number: 8
Height: 6 ft 0 in
Weight: 185 lb
High School: Roman Catholic (Philadelphia)
One of the most dynamic playmakers in Syracuse history, Marvin Harrison excelled as both a kick returner and wide receiver, setting multiple school records and leading the Orange into the postseason with wins following the 1992 and 1995 seasons. The Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, native now becomes the 11th Orange player to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
Harrison capped his senior season, earning First Team All-America honors as a kick returner in 1995 from the Football Writers Association of America and The Sporting News while also claiming Big East Special Teams Player of the Year honors. He set the conference record with a 94-yard punt return touchdown against Minnesota in 1995 and ranked among the league's all-time leaders in 100-yard receiving games (tied at third with 13), receiving touchdowns (tied at ninth with 20), and punt returns for touchdowns (tied at ninth with two).
A two-time First Team All-Big East (1994, 1995) selection and a Second-Team All-Big East pick (1993), Harrison finished his Syracuse career as the school's all-time leader in receiving yards (2,728) and second in receiving touchdowns (20), marks that still rank among the best in program history. A team captain and team MVP as a senior, he remains the Orange's career leader with 13 games with 100-yard or more and holds Syracuse bowl records for receptions (seven) and receiving yards (173), both set during the 1996 Gator Bowl victory over Clemson. Harrison concluded his collegiate career with 135 receptions for 2,728 yards and 20 touchdowns, while adding 542 punt return yards and two return touchdowns. He rushed 18 times for 127 yards and one touchdown.
During his four-year career, Syracuse compiled a 32-13-1 overall record, earned two major bowl victories, and finished ranked among the nation's top 20 twice. Harrison played a pivotal role in Syracuse's 26-22 victory at the 1993 Fiesta Bowl over Colorado and later helped lead the Orange to a 41-0 win at the 1996 Gator Bowl against Clemson.
Selected in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts, Harrison spent his entire 13-year professional career with the franchise, earning eight Pro Bowl selections, six All-Pro honors and helping the team win Super Bowl XLI. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
Harrison currently resides in the Philadelphia area, where he works in real estate development and remains active in youth and community initiatives.
