Penn State needs receivers, and a former five-star recruit from Pennsylvania entered the transfer portal today.
Thank you Buckeye Nation! pic.twitter.com/THoa38vXji
— Julian Fleming (@julian_040) December 4, 2023
Julian Fleming of Southern Columbia High School in Catawissa, Pennsylvania— roughly an hour and a half from State College— was the No. 2 overall player in the country from the 2020 Class according to 247Sports, and now has entered the portal.
As one could imagine, Penn State recruited Fleming hard.
He ended up committing to Ohio State in May 2019, picking it over Alamaba, Clemson, Georgia and, yes, Penn State, among other schools.
247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong reported that Clemson was the runner-up in Fleming’s initial recruitment. But Fleming didn’t blossom into a superstar at Ohio State the way many expected, and this was largley due to an absurd amount of talent OSU recruited at that position. In his four seasons, Fleming’s teammates in the receivers room included first-round picks Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon-Smith Njigba. The current Buckeye team has a man named Marvin Harrison Jr., who many feel is the best player in the country, and Emeka Egbuka, who had more than 1,000 receiving yards in 2022. That’s also the year Fleming had his best statistical season, ending up with 533 yards and six touchdowns on 34 catches and helping Ohio State to its second consecutive College Football Playoff appearance, where it lost to Georgia in the semifinals.
This past season, Fleming had 26 receptions for 270 yards and no touchdowns.
The receivers room was generally thought to be the biggest weakness during Penn State’s 2023 regular season. Aside from KeAndre Lambert-Smith (53 catches, 673 yards, four TD), no Penn State WR had more than 246 yards. But Penn State’s had quality options at receiver throughout the James Franklin era. Players such as Chris Godwin, Jahan Dotson and KJ Hamler all became high-round NFL draft picks.
Penn State is sure to address the receivers room in some facet in this transfer portal window. While all this is going on, the team also has to worry about Lane Kiffen’s Ole Miss team. That’s who PSU plays in the Peach Bowl Dec. 30
Wherever Fleming lands, he’ll have one year of elgibility left.
