Marvin Harrison Jr. tops list of Philly-area college football stars who stood out in Week 2

To put it bluntly, college football’s Week 2 was a roller coaster that included seven teams in the AP top 25 losing on Saturday.

Elsewhere, though, one Philadelphia-born star was dominant.

» READ MORE: Penn State product Jahan Dotson grabs two touchdown in his NFL debut

After a modest showing in Week 1, Ohio State wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. was an absolute star against an inferior Arkansas State team, and his performance Saturday could be just what he needed to truly emerge as one of the country’s best receivers.

A former Timber Creek signal caller and a transfer safety also made their marks over the weekend, as their ranked teams rolled to big-time wins while others seemed to falter under the pressure.

Opponent: Arkansas State

Stat line: Seven receptions, 184 yards, three touchdowns

Game recap: For the second time in his last three starts, Harrison put the entire college football world on notice with a three-touchdown performance. The St. Joseph’s Prep alum’s first score of the game came on an in-breaking route where he snapped it off at the apex, created separation, caught the football in stride, and took off for a 42-yard touchdown.

He wasn’t done either, catching two more passes in the first half of 40 or more yards, including another 42-yard TD in the second quarter. Late in the third, Harrison completed the hat trick with a 30-yard touchdown reception on a fade route down the left sideline. He averaged a whopping 26.3 yards per catch for the game and surpassed his career-high totals in catches and yards in the Buckeyes’ 45-12 victory.

Harrison is certainly living up to his father’s name and the reputation Ohio State has built in developing first-round caliber receivers. Through two games this season, Harrison has already surpassed his 2021 totals in catches and yards.

» READ MORE: Marvin Harrison Jr. to Devin Leary: Philly-area college football stars who stood out in Week 1

Opponent: Central Arkansas

Stat line: Four tackles (two solo), one interception

Game recap: It should come as no surprise that the Ole Miss Rebels dominated their nonconference matchup against FCS foe Central Arkansas, 59-3, but the speed with which transfer safety Isheem Young has adapted to a new defensive scheme might be. After making an impact mostly in the running game last week against Troy, Young, who previously starred at Imhotep Charter and later Iowa State, showed off his ball skills on Saturday with an incredible diving interception in the red zone.

As soon as the ball is thrown his way, you can see Young make a beeline toward the back corner of the end zone and lay out full-stop to make the play. Last week, Young recovered a fumble. The interception breaks a 10-game drought without one for Young as the Rebels gear up for a tough nonconference game in Atlanta this weekend against Georgia Tech.

Opponent: Charleston Southern

Stat line: 16-for-25, 238 yards passing, six touchdowns (four passing, two rushing)

Game recap: After a rough Week 1 showing against in-state opponent East Carolina, former Timber Creek standout Devin Leary returned to form on Saturday. N.C. State rolled to a 55-3 victory over Charleston Southern, and Leary accounted for six of the Wolfpack’s seven touchdowns, layering throws in tight windows and showing great touch on deep passes.

One of his touchdown runs showed off his toughness as he plowed through several defenders on his way to a 12-yard score. While the coaching staff might prefer the senior signal caller not to take those types of hits, Leary’s toughness shines through in his leadership style of the No. 16-ranked Wolfpack.

Next, Leary and N.C. State will face their toughest nonconference game yet, as the Wolfpack hit the road to Lubbock to take on Texas Tech, fresh off an upset win over formerly ranked Houston.

» READ MORE: Former Penn State signee Ken Talley announces commitment to Michigan State