Buckeyes star WR Marvin Harrison Jr. yearns for chance to thrive on father’s stage

INDIANAPOLIS — Marvin Harrison Jr. dressed appropriately for Big Ten media days as he stepped out under the bright lights inside Lucas Oil Stadium, where his father shined as a wide receiver with the Indianapolis Colts on his way to the Hall of Fame. “I never dreamed of me maybe having an opportunity to get to play in a Big Ten championship game, being in this stadium for Big Ten media days.” Harrison emerged during his sophomore season as a unanimous All-American with 77 receptions for 1,263 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. “That’s kind of the one goal I’ve had my whole college career and I haven’t got there yet.” Harrison enters his junior season as one of college football’s best talents, a possible Heisman Trophy candidate as well as a potential top NFL draft pick. “I’m hopeful this is an opportunity or the NCAA to consider two things: What punishments might be that are fair and relevant to the world we’re living in right now, and probably the bigger thing, there’s an opportunity right now for a lot better education process.” The NCAA recently eased gambling penalties. “Recently I had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., and meet with members of Congress to discuss a fair and true NIL framework and discuss other issues facing student-athletes and college athletics.” Petitti said he was encouraged by how Congress members and staffers were “engaged” and that there’s “real momentum for bipartisan legislation that benefits student-athletes, protects the academic athletic model, and recognizes that a national competitive landscape needs national rules that can be enforced.” Multiple proposals have been floated in Congress over the past two years, including at least one this week.