Penn State lands Ohio State receiver Julian Fleming out of the transfer portal
Penn State football has made a transfer portal splash at wide receiver, as the Nittany Lions are adding former Ohio State pass catcher and Pennsylvania native Julian Fleming. On3’s Hayes Fawcett first reported the news. A former Class of 2020 recruit, the one-time Southern Columbia star considered the Lions as a prospect but ultimately picked the Buckeyes. He has said this will be his final season at the collegiate level.
“I want to thank Ohio State and all the amazing people who were a part of my roller coaster of a journey,” Fleming wrote in a social media post announcing his intent to transfer. “It was an amazing four years, and I have built relationships that will last a lifetime with so many of my fellow players as well as coaches.
“Playing in Columbus has truly been one of the greatest times of my life, and I want to take the time to thank the entire Buckeye nation for all the support! With that being said, I am entering my name into the transfer portal for a final year!”
Fleming is currently the 84th-ranked player overall in On3’s Transfer Portal Industry Rankings. He is the No. 13 receiver.
Recapping Fleming’s career as a Buckeye
Fleming dealt with injuries during his time in Columbus. He finished his Ohio State career with 79 catches for 963 yards and seven touchdowns. His best statistical season came in 2022, when he caught 34 passes for 533 yards and six scores. But, despite only hauling in 26 passes for 270 yards in 2023, Spencer Holbrook of BWI sister site Lettermen Row says there’s more than what meets the eye when it comes to evaluating Fleming’s most recent slate of games.
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“His receiving numbers were down from the 2022 season, but he was still a valuable part of the Buckeyes’ offense, serving as the team’s best perimeter run blocker,” Holbrook wrote. “In fact, his Pro Football Focus run blocking grade of 74.0 was third on the entire team.
“Fleming also made some of the most clutch catches of the year, including a 4th-and-7 grab at Notre Dame that kept Ohio State’s game-winning drive in South Bend alive.”
Penn State, Fleming, ready to unite
Penn State fans have not forgotten this recruitment. Fleming was a five-star, top five-player nationally, the Pa. Gatorade Player of the Year, and a do-it-all machine for Southern Columbia. His high school stat lines and performances are things of legend in Pennsylvania prep circles. The Lions worked hard throughout his first recruiting process. But, the Buckeyes built a lead and never gave it back. He committed to Ohio State in May of 2019 and signed with the school that December.
It can be argued that Fleming did not reach his full potential in Columbus. Or, at the very least, not the sky-high expectations surrounding his name as a recruit. But, that’s in the past. And, his career so far has been more productive than many realize. Penn State now has a chance to add him to a receivers room in search of both competition and playmakers. Years after going their separate ways, the two sides now come together with hopes of having their best seasons yet in 2024.
