Getty Image / Justin Casterline
Penn State has received a huge boost to their wide receiver room as the nation’s former top wide receiver recruit Julian Fleming has committed to Penn State from the transfer portal.
The former Ohio State Buckeye announced his decision on social media.
Julian Fleming grew up and played his high school football at small-school superpower Southern Columbia, located around 90 minutes from Penn State. But, the top-ranked wide receiver in the 2020 recruiting class by major recruiting services decided to spurn the Nittany Lions in favor of Ohio State.
Who could blame him? Brian Hartline is probably the best wide receiver coach at any level of football anywhere, and a chance to be developed by him was too good to be passed up.
The problem is, Fleming spent his four years in Columbus receiving considerable playing time, but never as one of the top options in the offense. He shared snaps with first round picks and likely first round picks Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Ngijba, Jameson Williams, Emeka Egbuka, and Marvin Harrison Jr.
For his Buckeye career, he finished with 79 catches for 963 yards and 7 touchdowns. His best season came in 2022, when he had 34 catches for 533 yards and six touchdowns.
Those numbers might not jump off the page, but considering the guys he had to play with, they’re pretty decent. And, he instantly becomes the most-talented receiver in a Penn State receiver room that likely kept the Nittany Lions out of the playoff this year.
Is he a true number-one receiver? That is to be seen. But, he brings a physical presence at 6-foot-2-inches that contributed in the best receiver room in the country for Drew Allar to throw to. He’s also arguably best blocker at the position in the country, which could help talented running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton hit more home runs in the rushing attack next year under new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.
After Penn State’s 38-25 loss to Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl on Saturday, Nittany Lion fans needed good news like this.