<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3Hd8ss_0wHhdJN300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3Hd8ss_0wHhdJN300" width="1762" height="1176" ><figcaption>Wide receiver Julian Fleming (3) makes a catch at the Penn State football game against USC on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif. The Nittany Lions beat the Trojans 33-30 in overtime. Sienna Pinney</figcaption></figure>All eyes were on Julian Fleming when he transferred from Ohio State to Penn State and rightfully so. He was a former 5-star, No. 1 wide receiver recruit, No. 1 recruit in Pennsylvania and No. 3 recruit in the country in the class of 2020.Despite the Nittany Lions striking out on him the first time around, they cashed in four years later when Fleming hit the portal.“The adjustment at first was different, kind of like coming in and being a freshman all over again,” Fleming said. “Kind of trying to reestablish yourself and reestablish that confidence you have in the friendships that you prior had. So that was my first challenge.”Penn State was among his finalists during the initial recruitment process that featured Fleming choosing the Buckeyes over the in-state option as well as Alabama, Clemson and Georgia. The Catawissa, Pennsylvania, native played for Southern Columbia High School and was a huge miss for James Franklin’s program.Despite not committing during the first go-around, that’s water under the bridge as Fleming has found a home in Happy Valley.“Obviously Penn State was so welcoming for me, the coaches, all the staff, the players, so it's been a great experience from that nature,” Fleming said.<figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4L8BQk_0wHhdJN300" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4L8BQk_0wHhdJN300" width="1762" height="1176" ><figcaption>Tight end Tyler Warren (44) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Julian Fleming (3) before the play is called back for offensive pass interference at the Penn State football game against USC on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Calif. The Nittany Lions beat the Trojans 33-30 in overtime. Sienna Pinney</figcaption></figure>Fleming was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school, but his collegiate career hasn’t panned out the way he would have thought. The wide receiver was plagued with the injury bug and played behind Chris Olave, Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. and others at Ohio State, all of whom have carved out roles on NFL squads.He was held without a reception in the opener against West Virginia and then had just a catch for three yards against Bowling Green.“The minimal targets — whatever the first couple games, that's just kind of how the game goes,” Fleming said. “A lot of teams were playing us a little bit differently than we expected. So I'm just making an impact any way possible throughout the game. It's just something I've been trying to pride myself on.”His impact is made whether it’s on the stat sheet or not. Fleming is an impactful run blocker, but has also established himself as a leader and veteran presence.While he hasn’t eclipsed more than two catches in a game, he’s becoming featured more in the offense, including two receptions for 60 yards against Kent State and a catch against UCLA when he was stopped just short of a touchdown on the 1-yard line. But none were bigger than his two fourth-down receptions in the final regulation drive against USC that led Penn State to victory.While Fleming isn’t putting up monster numbers, his impact is felt on the field, and he’s “super happy” with the next chapter in his football story.“It's been awesome. Like I said, it was super welcoming, coming in and some of the relationships I built,” Fleming said. “So up to this point people that are going to be part of my life pretty much forever.”MORE FOOTBALL COVERAGE</div></body>

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Penn State WR Julian Fleming finding his groove in the offense through 6 games

All eyes were on Julian Fleming when he transferred from Ohio State to Penn State and rightfully so. He was a former 5-star, No. 1 wide receiver recruit, No. 1 recruit in Pennsylvania and No. 3 recruit in the country in the class of 2020. Despite the Nittany Lions striking...