Even with their recent high-profile additions, the Buckeyes may be in for a severe setback if one of their most devoted players decides to leave.
After accepting a scholarship offer from Penn State prior to his sophomore year at Southern Columbia (Catawissa, Pa.) High School, Julian Fleming moved into his new home in Happy Valley on Thursday, six and a half years ago. The 23-year-old’s career path appeared very different from what many had anticipated, including a four-season stint in Columbus during which he emerged as a Big Ten champion and Ohio State graduate. However, on Monday, the new semester officially begins, and he officially becomes a Nittany Lion.
Fleming stated to Lions247 on Friday afternoon, “I wanted to win a Big Ten championship with another team and I wanted to be close to home and my people.”
With 79 catches for 963 yards and seven touchdowns during his time at Ohio State, Fleming concluded his career as the top overall receiver recruit in 247Sports’ Class of 2020 rankings. In a Buckeyes run marred by injuries and intense positional competition, his 2022 junior campaign (34 receptions for 533 yards and six scores) stands out.
Regarding his tenure at Ohio State, Fleming said, “I think the best way to describe it is Rocky.” “You know, I’ve had a lot of injuries and have been hurt a lot. There is a lot going on, with some decent games and some not so good. As a result, my career has had many highs and lows. But I think that’s helped shape me into the person I am now: a team player, someone who can overcome obstacles, and someone who always gives it my all. I therefore believe that I would not be the person I am today without those experiences.
Fleming, who has started for the Buckeyes in 20 of his 23 games since 2022, was granted an additional year of college eligibility by the NCAA as a result of their COVID response. When Ohio State lost to Michigan to end their regular season, he started putting together a plan for how to use it.
“After the last game, there was obviously a lot of conversations that had to go on between my family and I, and the (Buckeyes) coaches and I, just kind of figuring out where everything stands,” Fleming explained. “It’s clear that this year wasn’t the greatest for me. I thought I worked very hard, but I just didn’t get the results I was hoping for. I approached the coaches and said, “Hey, let’s talk about my options and what I could do.”
That sparked frank and open communication.
‌ “There’s no bad blood between Ohio State and I, or Coach (Ryan) Day and I, or Coach Hart (Brian Hartline) and I,” Fleming stated. They were supportive of the decision I had to make for myself. Really, that’s all I could ask for.”
Fleming finished the fall second among all Ohio State players in run-blocking with 26 receptions for 270 yards without a touchdown in 12 games, according to Pro Football Focus. He finished third in catches among positional peers, behind only Marvin Harrison Jr., the finalist for the Heisman Trophy, and Emeka Egbuka, the top receiver prospect in the country for 2021.
Harrison, who was Fleming’s roommate in the Buckeyes’ position room, will be the fourth receiver selected in the first round of the NFL draft this April. Living in that group was an experience that changed my perspective.
It’s absurd. It’s really fantastic,” Fleming exclaimed. “I never feel as though I’m attempting to surpass someone else. It’s always the same: offering constructive criticism, working to improve one another, and constructing and attempting to gain that 1% or 0.5 percent to continuously raise your skill level. It was amazing to be able to witness that from some of the best men in the nation.”
On Monday, December 4, after his previously mentioned meeting with the Ohio State staff, Fleming entered his name into the NCAA Transfer Portal. Fleming estimates he spent “probably about 12 hours on the phone” with interested coaching staffs over the course of the next two days.
“I’ve grown older. Therefore, Fleming stated, “the recruiting process isn’t really the recruiting process.” It resembles something akin to free agency. I’m left with one more year. You can’t convince someone with BS, and I’ve already experienced it. Four years ago, I went through the ringer for recruitment. That undoubtedly made it much easier to see past certain individuals and situations.
James Franklin personally made contact on Penn State’s behalf, re-establishing contact with one of the most important in-state prospects of his coaching tenure with the Nittany Lions.
Regarding their conversations, Fleming remembered that “no promises were made.” “You simply need to show up, work hard, and earn everything you receive. That’s it.” I like people who are direct and honest, and he fit that description.
Conversations over the phone that first week in the portal swiftly evolved into a trip to Happy Valley, giving Fleming a chance to meet with other staff members. As Marques Hagans, the receivers coach, went through Fleming’s Ohio State film with him at the team’s facilities, he left a lasting impression.
Fleming exclaimed, “He is amazing.” “Sitting down to talk ball with him during our visit was probably one of the best conversations I’ve had in a long time. Simply going over every little detail, such as, “Hey, you made a great play here, but this is how it could be better.” He’s a great guy and an even better coach, in my opinion.
December talks also involved Andy Kotelnicki, the new offensive coordinator of the Nittany Lions.
“I had to go through a few things with him, including how the offense would function and how I would be integrated into it,” Fleming remarked. “He’s an even better guy off the field and extremely smart when it comes to football.”
Despite his broad outreach, Fleming soon narrowed his attention to two universities.
“I didn’t want to do all the recruiting stuff again, so I wanted to narrow it down right away,” he stated. Therefore, I only really had two options, which is why I only visited Penn State and Nebraska. And if I knew what I wanted to do, I wanted to commit as soon as possible rather than waiting for others to take up slots on the portal.
He was also a guest on the Cornhuskers’ campus last month.
“Nebraska was incredible,” Fleming remarked. “It was among the best locations and amenities I’ve ever visited.”
That didn’t stop him from going back to his native state, though. That choice thrilled local friends and family who will now get to watch him play more often. It also represented a full circle moment from a recruitment process that was intensely emotional toward the end and heavily involved Penn State.
Naturally, Fleming admitted, “it was a little rocky when I committed to Ohio State.” “People tried to claim that I defamed Penn State after certain things happened, but I never did.” I kind of made the decision to go my own way when I was a little child. Furthermore, I don’t regret it. I played everywhere in the nation, won a Big Ten championship, developed in college, and sat behind some of the best receivers in the nation.
Fleming seized the second chance, six and a half years after Franklin had opened the door.
Fleming stated, “That relationship was still there and it was still there with a lot of the staff members that were there when I was a recruit when I put my name in the portal and talked to Coach Franklin.” “Just seeing everyone again and witnessing how much everyone had changed and matured was incredible. They undoubtedly thought the same thing about me. Rebuilding the relationships wasn’t too difficult as a result.
In the upcoming weeks and months, Fleming’s rapport with rising junior quarterback Drew Allar will be highlighted in terms of new relationships.
Fleming stated, “We really need to get on the same page.” We recently texted, and the other day we got to talk ball a little bit when I was at State College. Establishing that connection and gaining that self-assurance will be crucial.
Fleming is eager to break the ice and work with his new teammates even though there hasn’t been much interaction with the Penn State receivers room thus far.
“You don’t necessarily know how to build that leadership and that confidence in other people, or how to continue to push people to get better,” the speaker said, referring to incoming freshmen or young guys. However, I think I’ve already gone through it. Since I was younger, I’ve developed my leadership skills and learned how to speak up more.
Although it is four years later than fans would have liked, Fleming feels that this is the ideal moment to begin his days as a Nittany Lion.
When you’re a young guy starting college, you always imagine yourself to be the best guy there is. But that’s simply untrue, according to Fleming. Many guys believe that upon entering college, but in my opinion, it truly humbles one. My eyes have been opened to the talent and effort that go into being a wide receiver after having the opportunity to sit behind some of the best in the nation for a few years. There is no denying that it is very different from how I was in high school.
