The Penn State football roster will look significantly different in 2024, largely due to several notable transfer portal additions this winter. James Franklin and the Nittany Lions landed multiple portal prospects who were highly-touted recruits out of high school. However, the one who stands out above the rest is former No. 1 player in Pennsylvania and Ohio State WR Julian Fleming. As he gets situated in his new program, Fleming is already re-acclimating himself to the community. Recently, the incoming Penn State WR appeared in a commercial with a new NIL partner.
Incoming Penn State WR appears in ad with new NIL partners
When Ohio State WR Julian Fleming entered the transfer portal on December 4, an eventual commitment to Penn State football seemed like the most logical choice for the Pennsylvania native. From Catawissa, about 90 miles from State College, the former five-star prospect who was heavily recruited by James Franklin out of high school seemed like a natural fit for the Nittany Lions.
On January 3, Fleming officially joined a Penn State WR room that struggled throughout most of the 2023 season. Now on campus for less than a month, Fleming is already enjoying the perks of coming home. This week, the Penn State WR appeared in a commercial with a new NIL partner, Blaise Alexander CDJR of Lewisburg.
“Take it from Julian Fleming… We’re CRUSHING The Competition!” the ad’s description says, in part. Blaise Alexander Family Dealerships operates 20 locations across Pennsylvania. The Blaise Alexander dealerships are a significant contributor to Penn State and the affiliate Pennsylvania College of Technology, as well as a corporate sponsor of Penn State athletics.
Recently, Julian Fleming shared some behind-the-scenes shots during filming of the NIL ad, as well.
Will Julian Fleming be WR1 for the Nittany Lions?
Julian Fleming enters a WR room in need of an upgrade. The lack of a consistent threat out wide became the focal point of a Penn State offense that struggled in the biggest moments of the 2023 season.
Going into the spring, Fleming will be clearly in the mix to compete for the top WR slot. Although his career at Ohio State never quite lived up to expectations, the former top WR in the nation for the 2020 cycle instantly becomes the most talented pass catcher on the Nittany Lions’ roster.
Fleming will compete for the WR1 role with KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Penn State’s top WR from 2023, who is back for another year. The Nittany Lions’ second-leading WR, Dante Cephas, entered the transfer portal after the Peach Bowl. Cephas committed to Kansas State this weekend.
While it’s still yet to be seen how the passing attack will come together in 2024, Julian Fleming presents an infusion of talent for second-year QB Drew Allar and new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. At any rate, Penn State football will likely look to the former Ohio State WR to be a crucial part of the offense this fall.
More must-reads: