James Franklin: Julian Fleming developing strong reputation in Penn State locker room

The addition of Julian Fleming to the Penn State football roster was massive news this offseason from the transfer portal. To not only bring in a wide receiver from Ohio State who has been an achilles heel for the Nittany Lions. But more importantly to bring a football player back to his home state to represent Pennsylvania. Everyone knows that Fleming is a dynamic player-maker with the ball in his hands. But it’s the intangibles that make him even more important off the field and in the locker room according to James Franklin.

Franklin: Julian Fleming developing strong reputation at Penn State

Julian Fleming brings valuable experience in terms of what he’s been around during his career. He’s played for arguably the best wide receivers coach in college football Brian Hartline. He has College Football Playoff experience under his belt and he’s been teammates with NFL superstars Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and several others. His addition from the transfer portal will be massive for the Nittany Lions this fall.

Today, James Franklin spoke about the experience that Fleming brings to Penn State. Franklin said, “…His ability to play in this league I think is helpful,” Franklin said. “He understands what this league is all about, he also has an understanding about the playoffs as well so I think those things are valuable and he’s a really good guy which I also think helps in that room.”

While discussing his reputation Franklin added, “I think the first thing you do is keep your mouth shut and your ears open and put your head down and go to work and earn everybody’s respect. Then, over time gradually become more vocal if that’s part of your leadership style and personality.”

Franklin continued, “I think he [Julian Fleming] has done a good job of that. I’ve heard good reports from the strength staff, from the coaches, and from the players probably most importantly, he’s done a good job with all of those things.”

Bill O’Brien set to hire former PSU Assistant at Boston College

Former Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien has taken on a new role as the head coach of the Boston College Eagles. Now, O’Brien is assembling his staff and some familiar names are starting to appear, specifically with Craig Fitzgerald.

Craig Fitzgerald has been in the college football coaching space since 1998. But where he and Bill O’Brien overlapped at first was with the Penn State football team from 2012 to 2013 as the head strength and conditioning coach. O’Brien brought Fitzgerald with him to the Houston Texans from 2014 to 2017 in the same role. Now, he will look to help take the Eagles and O’Brien to the next level on the field.