On3's Pete Nakos provides transfer portal update on Penn State WR target Julian Fleming
Penn State head coach James Franklin and his staff have all of their focus on Ole Miss currently, but adding players via the transfer portal will shift back into the spotlight following Saturday’s Peach Bowl.
The Nittany Lions currently hold just one commitment from former Tulsa kicker Chase Meyer. He’s coming in as a preferred walk-on and will join the team next weekend before classes begin on Jan. 8. Penn State also picked up a commitment from offensive lineman Alan Herron at one point, but he then flipped and signed with Maryland on Dec. 21.
By now, it’s no secret that the Lions need to add reinforcements at wide receiver ahead of the 2024 season. They haven’t publicly added any players, but speculation continues to swirl around former Ohio State receiver and Pennsylvania native Julian Fleming.
Back on Dec. 7, Fleming quietly came to campus for an unofficial visit to meet with Penn State wide receivers coach Marques Hagans and the staff. He then went on to take an official visit to Nebraska a few days later. However, following that trip, multiple sources close to both On3 and Blue White Illustrated indicated that Fleming was leaning toward the Lions.
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Notebook: Penn State coach James Franklin provides final update ahead of Peach Bowl
Over the past two weeks, Fleming has been quiet about his decision. On Friday, On3’s transfer portal expert Pete Nakos provided an update stating that he still expects Fleming to end up with the Nittany Lions.
“Penn State remains the clear favorite to land Ohio State transfer wide receiver Julian Fleming. He visited Happy Valley and Nebraska earlier this month. A native of Catawissa, Pennsylvania, he grew up roughly 90 minutes from Beaver Stadium. He leaves Columbus with 79 catches for 963 career yards and seven touchdowns. A two-time Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year, he was constantly fighting for playing time in a room that included Marvin Harrison Jr., Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.
“He’s the exact type of wide receiver James Franklin needs to add to his offense to give Drew Allar a dynamic weapon to rely on. Against Michigan and Ohio State this season, the Nittany Lions were lacking in that category. Penn State has badly needed a top-dog wide receiver like Jahan Dotson, and Fleming has all the intangibles to fill that role. My confidence level sits at 70%, and I’ve also placed an RPM pick for him to land with the Nittany Lions.”
Fleming is currently the 18th-ranked wide receiver in On3’s Transfer Portal Rankings. Only four receivers ranked ahead of him remain undecided.
