Penn State's Julian Fleming Discusses Ohio State Transfer, Feeling Healthy and Needing 'One More' Season

"I needed one more year to really prove to myself who I am and prove to other people who I am," the Nittany Lions receiver said.

Penn State receiver Julian Fleming speaks with reporters after practice in State College. / Max Ralph/AllPennState

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. | Julian Fleming casually downplayed a moment that was almost eight years in the making. Speaking to the media for the first time since transferring from Ohio State to Penn State in January, Fleming stood back, smiled and said simply, “Hey, guys.”

Fleming certainly understood the situation. The former No. 1 high school prospect in Pennsylvania and top-ranked wide receiver in the country garnered attention from Penn State like few recruits before. Penn State coach James Franklin once wore a Nittany Lions jersey with Fleming’s No. 4. Living less than two hours from State College, Fleming visited Happy Valley as many as 20 times in high school. Then he picked Ohio State.

But Fleming dealt with injuries, leading to multiple surgeries, that limited his playing time and production through four seasons with the Buckeyes. He debated between entering the NFL Draft and transferring to use his final season of eligibility. And now, after what he called a “50-50 decision,” Fleming has returned to Pennsylvania intent on improving his draft stock and completing what reads like a storybook college football career.

“I just felt like I still needed one more,” said Fleming, who wore a blue headband with his newly adopted Nittany Lion logo. “I needed one more year to really prove to myself who I am and prove to other people who I am. So that's why I was really excited to come here. 

“And come home,” he added with a sly smile after a brief pause.

Penn State’s proximity to Southern Columbia High, where Fleming was the 2019 Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year, has allowed Fleming to visit home frequently and allowed his family to attend practice. Fleming will wear the No. 3 for the first time in a uniform his family and community have supported his whole life. He called the transition smooth but one that nevertheless required an adjustment. 

“It's crazy, honestly. The first couple of practices even, seeing myself on the film was definitely different,” Fleming said. “But honestly it's been awesome. The coaches have been great, players have been very welcoming. So it's been a great opportunity.”

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Penn State receiver Julian Fleming works with the Nittany Lions offense during spring drills in State College. / Max Ralph/AllPennState

The biggest key for Fleming at Penn State is health. He has yet to make it through an entire spring session or regular season in good health, but a full year will boost Penn State’s receiving corps along with his draft stock. Fleming (listed at 6-2, 209 pounds) certainly looks the part, having a physical frame that appears NFL ready and stands out among other receivers.

“I'm healthy as can be. This is probably the healthiest offseason I've had so far. Shoulders are both good. I got those all fixed up,” Fleming said. “Been under the [surgical knife] a couple of times with stuff, just having to get this and this done and bumps and bruises. But right now, I'm healthy and I'm happy about it.”

Franklin reached out quickly after Fleming entered the transfer portal in December, rekindling a lengthy relationship and prompting another visit to Penn State as a recruit. Fleming explained that there were no hard feelings after his initial decision, a sentiment Franklin shared. The coach also said Fleming has been an "awesome" teammate.

“He’s been great, and the way that it ended the first time, I wasn’t necessarily sure how it would all play itself out,” Franklin said. “Even during the [portal] recruiting process when we had our first conversations, I didn’t know how it was going to play itself out. The guys love him, he’s been awesome as a teammate, he’s been really coachable. I think he has been able to move on. There’s been no talk about the past.

“... For both parties, and I don’t want to speak for Julian, but it seems really good in terms of energy, morale and expectations. He’s been a really good addition, and I know he’s earned the coaches’ and players’ trust really quickly.”

Strength coach Chuck Losey echoed Franklin by saying Fleming has led by example, while quarterback Drew Allar is happy to have Fleming around for his veteran presence on and off the field. Allar and Fleming have building a relationship since Fleming visited Penn State in December.

“I get to talk to Drew every single day. We have a good relationship. We get to talk in the locker room, get to talk in the weight room,” Fleming said. “It's definitely just constantly been building and building, and it's gonna continue to grow.”

Fleming has heard from more than a few people following the move, including former Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, who sent a welcome home message. The reception has been positive, Fleming said, from both the Penn State and Ohio State sides. And, of course, being closer to family has been a bonus.

In 2022, when Fleming last stepped into Beaver Stadium as an Ohio State Buckeye, he received some negative chants from a rowdy crowd. The reception should be much more positive this season (Ohio State visits on Nov. 2), as Fleming hopes to prove himself as a “very relentless competitor.”

“It's gonna be kind of crazy. It's gonna be nostalgic to say the least,” Fleming said. “I've been able to see the atmosphere, the most amazing in college football, and I've been able to see it from the opposite end. Being able to be on the same end of it this year, it's gonna be a great feeling.”

Max Ralph is a Penn State senior studying Broadcast Journalism with minors in sports studies and Japanese. He previously covered Penn State football for two years with The Daily Collegian and has reported with the Associated Press and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Follow him on Twitter (X) @maxralph_ and Instagram @mralph_59.