James Franklin talks about connection with Julian Fleming, transfer process

Penn State coach James Franklin landed a big get out of the transfer portal this offseason in former Ohio State receiver Julian Fleming. Fleming ranks as the No. 104 overall player according to On3’s Transfer Portal Rankings and should have a chance to carve out a key role in 2024.

The Nittany Lions coaching staff already had a relationship with Fleming from recruiting him in high school, when he was one of the most highly touted prospects in the country. Fleming ranked as the No. 3 overall player and No. 1 receiver in the 2020 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Although Fleming eventually committed to the Buckeyes, that early connection allowed him to reconnect with Franklin and Penn State upon entering the portal.

“One of the things I would prefer to do if possible is if we go to the transfer portal, I would prefer it to be a guy we recruited on the front end because it’s a short period of time for the parents, the players and for our staff to get to know each other,” Franklin said. “It’s a mad dash to figure those things out. On top of that, we have a challenge a lot of schools don’t. We start a week earlier than most schools for the spring semester. That’s something I don’t think is talked about a whole lot, but the schools that have a huge amount of time over their Christmas break, they have a huge advantage in the transfer portal. So the earlier your school starts the more challenging it is.

“Then you also see a bunch of schools that have a ton of second half classes. The last eight weeks of the semester, they have a bunch of options that way. Online classes. We don’t have a lot of those things. So if we can’t get guys accepted early and here, it’s gonna be really challenging. Julian was a really good example. There was a long and lengthy and extensive recruiting process for him and his family. For a while there, we felt like he was coming and then we ended up losing him. Now he’s back with us. I think there’s familiarity and comfort for him and his family. I think there’s familiarity and comfort for us.”

Fleming’s best season at Ohio State came as a junior in 2022 when he recorded 34 catches for 533 yards and six touchdowns. Unfortunately, he was unable to build upon that this past season and he fell behind stars such as Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka.

Still, it’s clear Julian Fleming still has plenty of potential and should get more opportunity to show it at Penn State. He could join KeAndre Lambert-Smith as one of the top targets for quarterback Drew Allar.

Franklin also believes his experience playing in the Big Ten and College Football Playoff will be valuable for the Nittany Lions.

“He kind of understands what this league is all about,” the coach said. “He also has an understanding about the Playoffs as well. I think those things are valuable. He’s an older guy, which I also think helps in that room. But I think at the end of the day, again, whether it’ high school kids or whether it’s transfer portal, we don’t make promises. Guys are gonna have to come in here and compete to earn jobs. We’re not making promises and offers to guys where they’re gonna in and start. Julian I think has done a really good job.

“Like most scenarios whether it’s a job or whether it’s a team you’re joining, you kind of keep your mouth shut and your ears open and put your head down and go to work. Earn everybody’s respect and then over time start to become more vocal if that’s a part of your leadership style and personality. I think he’s done a really good job of that. I’ve heard really good reports from the strength staff, from the coaches and from the players probably most importantly. He’s done a good job with all those things. So far so good.”