More to prove: Julian Fleming opens up on decision to transfer to Penn State football for first time

The most talked about member of the Penn State football program this offseason was staring across the sidelines at the Nittany Lions less than six months ago. This winter, former Ohio State wide receiver Julian Fleming made his long-awaited arrival in Happy Valley, a journey more than a half-decade in the making. Following the Nittany Lions’ spring practice on Tuesday evening, Fleming addressed his decision to enter the transfer portal and come to Penn State for the first time since stepping foot on campus in January.

Julian Fleming opens up on transfer portal decision

After choosing to cross state lines and committing to Ohio State the first time around, Pennsylvania native Julian Fleming is finally in the Blue and White. After long being viewed as one of the top homegrown recruits to get away, the No. 1 wide receiver in the class of 2020 joined the Penn State football program this winter via the transfer portal.

Since arriving on campus in January, the former Southern Columbia star has generated quite the buzz around Happy Valley. Rarely does a media opportunity go by where the ex-Buckeye doesn’t somehow become the topic of discussion. But on Tuesday, we heard from Julian Fleming directly for the first time since making his way to State College.

“I just felt like I needed one more year to prove to myself who I am and prove to other people who I am,” said Fleming, who explained he was 50/50 on whether he would enter the transfer portal or declare for the NFL Draft. “So that’s why I was really excited to come here and come home.”

Fleming’s career at Ohio State was hampered by injury. He still managed to letter all four years in Columbus, making 22 starts in 38 games. His final Buckeye stat line touts 80 receptions for 990 yards and seven touchdowns. However, the former star high school recruit never reached his full potential in Scarlet and Gray.

But Julian Fleming reports that he is “as healthy as can be” this offseason. With the Blue-White Game on the horizon next week, Fleming says he’s on the verge of completing the first full spring practice session of his college career without injury. The graduate transfer knows the demands of a season are grueling, and says health will be critical to accomplishing his goals in his one year at Penn State.

“I just want to be the best version of myself every single down, every single play,” he stated. “I want to be the best version of myself for this program. And I just want to compete… I’m just going to have to keep my confidence up and stay healthy.”

Former Ohio State wide receiver earning trust in Penn State locker room

Through two and a half months on campus, Julian Fleming has received rave reviews from members of the Penn State football coaching staff and his Nittany Lion teammates, both on and off the field.

“He’s looked really good,” Drew Allar told us recently. “I think he brings a lot of experience and a lot of maturity to that room. I think he’s just a really good add to our room, not only skill-wise but personality off the field-wise, too.

“I think he’s just a great addition to our room, again, just because of how versatile he is as a receiver. He’s not only a great receiver, but he’s a great blocker, and you can do a lot of different things that most receivers aren’t willing to do.”

For James Franklin, the four-year veteran brings much-needed maturity to a Penn State wide receiver room that struggled with consistency in 2023.

“I think Julian Fleming, another local guy that we’ve been able to bring back home, he’s brought an element of experience, of maturity that I think has been really good and has approached things really the right way since he stepped on campus,” Franklin said following a spring practice in mid-March.

Penn State football will conclude spring practice with the annual Blue-White Game on April 13.