Penn State “Just Another Game” For Ohio State WR Julian Fleming

Ohio State junior wide receiver Julian Fleming grew up just an hour and a half east of Penn State’s campus in Catawissa, Pa., surrounded by friends and family who cheered each Saturday for the Nittany Lions.

So, when it came time for the top-rated wide receiver in the country and No. 1 overall recruit in the state to choose his college destination, most assumed he would stay home. He instead dealt a devastating blow by choosing the Buckeyes.

“It was almost home for me. I was right down the street, so they were definitely high up on my list,” Fleming said during his media availability on Wednesday night, though he noted distance was never really a factor for him. “It was just finding the right fit and somewhere that I really felt at home.”

Fleming made countless visits to Happy Valley during his time as a recruit, including for Ohio State’s 27-26 win in 2018. That was actually the last time the Buckeyes played in front of a packed house at Beaver Stadium, as fans could not attend the 2020 matchup due to the pandemic.

“It’s definitely a hard place to go into and come out with a win, so we’re going to have to be prepared for everything, be prepared for the noise and execute and the highest level that we have this season,” Fleming said. “It’s an insane atmosphere. It’s loud all the time. You could be right next to somebody and you’re not hearing what they’re saying.”