Former five-star and the No. 1 player in Pennsylvania in the 2020 high school recruiting class Julian Fleming returned to PA this offseason, transferring to Penn State after four seasons at Ohio State.However, the veteran receiver has been anything but reliable and is starting to frustrate Nittany Lions fans as their team trails Wisconsin 10-7 at halftime on the road in Week 9.
However, the veteran receiver has been anything but reliable and is starting to frustrate Nittany Lions fans as their team trails Wisconsin 10-7 at halftime on the road in Week 9.
Two weeks ago, prior to Penn State’s bye week, Fleming saved Penn State’s season and preserved its undefeated record with two catches on fourth-down conversions, however, those big-time plays came after a disappointing drop. The inconsistency has continued into Week 9 with Fleming hauling in a 16-yard pass on third-and-5 on Penn State’s first drive of the game, and then dropping a possible touchdown and certain first-down just five plays later.
The drop by Julian Fleming. Brutal.
— Joel Haas (@Joel_Haas1) October 27, 2024
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Coming into the week, Fleming led the team with two drops and his third was very consequential as the Nittany Lions turned the ball over on downs. Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and quarterback Drew Allar have been desperate for a wide receiver to step up as a reliable target along with tight end Tyler Warren, and so are fans.
Fleming with a TERRIBLE DROP COME ON MAN
— Black Shoe Diaries (@BSDtweet) October 26, 2024
It’s been a roller coaster ride since the former highly-coveted recruit returned to his home state and there might be a few fans who are ready to get off.
The Julian Fleming Experience has picked up right where it left off at USC:
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) October 26, 2024
A 16-yard catch on third down, followed by a drop on third down that would have been a sure 28-yard TD.
Fleming’s first catch in Week 9 was his 10th this season for just 148 yards and no touchdowns. After KeAndre Lambert-Smith, last year’s leading pass catcher for the Nittany Lions, left for Auburn in the transfer portal, Fleming had a chance to emerge as a superstar in Happy Valley, but he’s fallen short.
Julian Fleming is one of the most disappointing WRs coming out of High School in recent memory
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) October 27, 2024
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Fleming’s underwhelming career has not just been at Penn State this season. The former five-star struggled to live up to expectations in Columbus.