At this point, it would be a massive shock if former Ohio State wide receiver Julian Fleming transfers to a program that is not Penn State. Nebraska has been in the mix all along, and nothing is official until it is official, but it certainly seems like he’s headed back home to play for the Nittany Lions.
All of the signs make it pretty clear that Fleming is going to finish his college football career in State College. His most recent Instagram follows might be the kicker.
Fleming, a rising fifth-year senior, was a former five-star prospect in the college football recruiting Class of 2020. He will have one year of eligibility left at his future program.
That future program appears to be Penn State.
Fleming follows only 218 accounts on Instagram. Six of his last seven follows are related to his two potential transfer destinations.
Fleming followed Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley, linebacker Curtis Jacobs and quarterback Drew Allar. He also followed Nebraska wide receivers Malachi Coleman and Jaleyn Lloyd.
All five of those players could indicate different things. Typically — when a transfer wide receiver adds a quarterback on social media, that means they are going to play together in the future. But maybe not!
Julian Fleming’s most recent follow on Instagram, ‘Blaise Alexander CDJR Lewisburg,’ is the most telling.
The account is associated with the Blaise Alexander Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Fiat car dealership in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Alexander, a former professional stock car racer, owns multiple dealerships in the area.
Specifically, Blaise Alexander CDJR of State College is located less than one half mile from Penn State’s campus. The dealership is one of the ‘Official Corporate Partners of Penn State Athletics.’
Lewisburg, located about 70 miles from campus, is located a bit further out and closer to Fleming’s hometown of Elysburg. However, its local Alexander dealership partnered with Nittany Lions running back Trey Potts, a Williamsport-native, on an NIL deal after he transferred from Iowa back in September.
Fleming recently flexed his brand-new Dodge Ram 1500 TRX on his Instagram story. The photo included a hint at where it came from.
On the top left corner of the tailgate was the dealership decal. It was an Alexander truck.
There is always a chance that none of these things have anything to do with Fleming’s looming decision. Coincidences happen.
That does not appear to be the case here. Julian Fleming’s commitment to Penn State is imminent.
Should Nebraska manage to swoop in and land him at the buzzer, it is a direct indication of the NIL money in Lincoln. It seems unlikely.