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Feb. 13—Julian Fleming has been at Penn State for a little more than a month and already he’s receiving positive reviews.
Fleming, the former Southern Columbia High School star, transferred last month from Ohio State and is expected to be a starting wide receiver and a team leader.
“He’s a very good guy,” Nittany Lions coach James Franklin said Tuesday. “When you come here (as a transfer), the first thing you do is keep your mouth shut and your ears open and go to work and earn everybody’s respect.
“I think he has done a really good job with that. I’ve heard great reports from the strength staff, from the coaches and from the players, which is probably most important.”
The 6-2, 210-pound Fleming was the No. 1 wide receiver in the 2020 recruiting class and a two-time Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year who chose Ohio State over Penn State.
He caught 80 passes for 990 yards and seven touchdowns for the Buckeyes while playing behind such wide receivers as Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.
Fleming’s best season at Ohio State came in 2022 when he made 34 catches for 533 yards and six touchdowns. He had 26 receptions for 270 yards last season.
He helps fill one of Penn State’s greatest needs. KeAndre Lambert-Smith was the Lions’ leading receiver last year with 53 receptions for 673 yards and four touchdowns, but he had just two catches in the last four games, including none in the Peach Bowl. No other wide receiver had more than 19 catches.
“I think there’s familiarity and comfort there, for him and his family,” Franklin said about Fleming. “I think there’s familiarity and comfort for us. Then obviously his ability to play in this league, I think, is helpful. He kind of understands what this league is about.
“He also has an understanding of the playoffs as well, so I think those…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/penn-state-wide-receiver-julian-045200092.html
Author : Reading Eagle, Pa.
Publish date : 2024-02-14 04:52:00
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