Breaking down Julian Fleming entering the transfer portal

Some big names have already hit the NCAA transfer portal this cycle. Ohio State wide receiver Julian Fleming is certainly one of them, being a former Five-Star Plus+ prospect and No. 3 recruit in the country. Plus, there is no respected position room in the country than the wide receiver one in Columbus.

Which also might be part of the reason why Fleming is leaving. He went from a big-time contributor during the 2022 season to sharing a role with star freshman Carnell Tate. And with how Tate played when out on the field, he is likely going to be someone Brian Hartline sends out there as a star player.

“Carnell Tate split time with Julian Fleming a little bit this year and made Julian’s role a little lesser than it was in 2022,” Spencer Holbrook of On3’s Lettermen Row said via Tuesday’s episode of Andy Staples On3. “And that’s okay because Carnell is a really good player that’s going to have a great career at Ohio State.”

Fleming caught 26 passes this year for 270 yards. Tate was not too far behind with 260 yards but did so on just 17 receptions and even added a touchdown. From a production standpoint alone, it’s easy to see the type of potential Tate has after his true freshman season.

The room is deeper than just Tate, though. Holbrook believes Emeka Egbuka has a chance to return for another year. Brandon Innis is another highly touted youngster ready to see the field. Then there is 2024 On3 Industry Rankings No. 1 overall recruit Jeremiah Smith, a player Ohio State is attempting to hold onto in their recruiting class.

Certainly a log jam from Fleming’s standpoint and there are better opportunities out there when it comes to playing time. If the ultimate goal is to find a way to the NFL, entering the portal and finding a new home is the best option.

A rare instance where a star player leaving a blue blood program is considered a win-win.

“Great teammate, great presence in the locker room,” Holbrook said. “Now, I just think it’s time for Julian to find a new way to be productive at the college level and try to get to the NFL. It might just be time for Ohio State to move on with the younger guys in the room who are really talented and go with that youth movement in the wide receiver room.”