His body transformation was the story of the offseason, although at the time he declined to put numbers on his muscle-up. That was revealed Wednesday, with Harrison acknowledging he was at 220 pounds, up from the 209 he played at as a rookie.
His lifting program was better, he said, but he’s also learned how to eat. More specifically, he understands the need for a big breakfast as a top athlete.
“That’s probably the biggest challenge,” Harrison said. “Waking up not hungry but making sure you feed yourself.”
Which sounds like most young 20-somethings trying to mature into adulthood. “Exactly,” Harrison said with a grin.
But he’s more relaxed, he added. “Not as nervous, fidgety. It allows me to go out there and be free.”
Free enough to pump up his stats? Harrison was good last season. He had 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight touchdowns, an excellent rookie year in many cases. But in an era when Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase are record-breakers as rookies, and others in his draft class were great as rookies, it’s hard not to see it in the periphery.
“I didn’t come in and catch a million balls right off the bat,” McBride said. “You grow, you figure out your role, and you can’t really look at other people because everyone is in a different situation.”
Harrison knows that. It’d be nice if Nabers and Thomas took a peek over at Harrison’s stats this season and felt some kind of way. But Harrison is comfortable where he is at, regardless. And when he’s asked about goals, it’s a simple equation.
“Win,” Harrison said. “That’s what I am looking forward to. Really, just win.”