Getty Image / Ian Johnson
Just hours after Ohio State starting quarterback Kyle McCord threw his name into the NCAA transfer portal, starting wide receiver Julian Fleming has now done the same.
Fleming, a former five-star recruit from Pennsylvania, started alongside projected first-round NFL Draft picks Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka this season. He hauled in 26 passes for 270 yards on the year.
But he announced his intentions to leave the Buckeyes on social media Monday morning.
Thank you Buckeye Nation! pic.twitter.com/THoa38vXji
— Julian Fleming (@julian_040) December 4, 2023
Fleming was considered one of the nation’s best players and the top receiver in the class of 2020 according to 247Sports. He spurned in-state Penn State to go play for Head Coach Ryan Day and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline at Ohio State.
Though he put up solid numbers, reeling in 79 catches for 963 yards in his four-year career at Ohio State, he’s been overshadowed by several others. Fleming sat behind stars such as Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Harrison Jr. and Egbuka.
He’s also battled injuries in his time in Columbus. Fleming has had two labrum repairs in his career, and that’s a pretty big setback for a receiver that is as physical as he is.
Still, you’d have to think that he will be highly-sought after in the portal given his pedigree. Yeah, his production has been pedestrian. But, he’s also been playing behind a bunch of guys who went or will go in the first round of the NFL Draft. On a lot of other teams, he would be a number-one option. At the worst, a team is going to get one of the best blockers and special teams players at the position in the country.