It is no surprise the Penn State wide receiver room needed an upgrade over last year’s group. That upgrade comes in the form of former Ohio State receiver Julian Fleming.
Fleming immediately bolsters a position group that struggled mightily in 2023 and didn’t have a clear No. 1 guy.
Can Fleming be that guy?
Can Fleming stay healthy?
That remains to be seen, but on paper, his addition is a welcome one for Penn State.
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 209 pounds
Hometown: Catawissa, Pa.
Before Penn State:
Ohio State 2020-2023
2020: Fleming hauled in four passes for 53 yards in the Big Ten Championship at Ohio State. Also added a reception apiece against Nebraska and Rutgers as well as two against Michigan State.
2021: Fleming was limited due to injury in 2021 and appeared in only six games including the Rose Bowl against Utah where he had five receptions for 35 yards. His lone Ohio State touchdown came against Michigan State in 2021.
2022: Fleming appeared in 11 games but did not find the end zone. He had two receptions for 105 yards against Iowa and five receptions for 71 yards against Georgia in the Peach Bowl which was the CFP Semifinal that year.
Last year: In what would be his final year with Ohio State, Fleming hauled in 26 receptions for 270 yards and didn’t surpass more than three receptions in a game after the first game of Ohio State’s season.
Where he stands: Fleming should immediately come in as one of the top receivers for Penn State along with Trey Wallace. There was minimal separation among the wide receivers last year and it’s imperative that separation happens or it could be a long season yet again for Penn State’s offense.
A quote by Fleming: “I went to Ohio State for four years. I got to go. I got to get developed as a man and as a person. I thank them for everything that they did, but I didn’t make a decision that was going to be best for me in the long run … I have one year left of college and I really wanted to maximize it. I felt like the opportunity here is great. — Fleming after spring practice April 3
A quote about Fleming: “I think he brings a certain toughness and mentality to that receiver room in general. He’s just going to go out and be consistent, do his job, do whatever the coaches ask him to do, no matter if it’s involving him in the pass game or his blocking on the perimeter for screens on the perimeter or the running backs get it (the ball) on the perimeter. So, he brings a toughness to that room that I think is really good.” — QB Drew Allar.
More All 105s
Jaylen Reed Could Be PSU’s ’Lion’
