Penn State Football: How Julian Fleming Fits WR Depth Chart

After four seasons at Ohio State, former Buckeye wide receiver Julian Fleming officially returned to Pennsylvania and committed to Penn State Football this spring.

Julian Fleming, Penn State Football, Penn State Nittany Lions — Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Julian Fleming (Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports)

While the former five-star wide receiver may not have lived up to lofty expectations in a crowded Ohio State wide receiver room, the Catawissa, Pennsylvania native is a very intriguing pickup for the Nittany Lions with the chance to elevate Penn State’s offense in more than one way in 2024.

So, how does Fleming fit into Penn State’s receiver room which is still in flux before 2024?

Where Fleming could fit on Penn State’s depth chart?

Penn State Football, Julian Fleming — Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Kalen King (4) breaks up a pass intended for Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Julian Fleming (Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch)

Julian Fleming should immediately be in line for a starting spot for Penn State Football in 2024.

The Nittany Lions did not have a consistent starting lineup at wide receiver in 2023, starting a combination of KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Harrison Wallace III, Dante Cephas, Malik McClain, and Kaden Saunders throughout the season.

With Dante Cephas already in the transfer portal, and others still to make decisions on their future, Penn State’s depth chart at wide receiver is difficult to predict at this point.

However, with Fleming’s production and experience at Ohio State and limited production returning outside of potentially KeAndre Lambert-Smith, it is hard to see Fleming slotting in lower than WR2 on Penn State’s depth chart next fall.

In an offense desperate to provide former five-star quarterback Drew Allar with reliable targets, Fleming checks all the boxes to elevate Penn State’s offense in 2024.

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Penn State Football, James Franklin — Head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

What does Fleming bring to Penn State?

Despite limited targets in Ohio State’s offense over the past four seasons, Julian Fleming projects to enter 2024 as either the most experienced or second most experienced wide receiver on Penn State’s roster from a production standpoint.

Fleming accumulated 79 catches for 963 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 12.2 yards per catch at Ohio State. Only Lambert-Smith has higher career numbers on the Penn State roster and is not guaranteed to be on the roster in 2024.

In addition to his production in the passing game, Fleming was highly regarded at Ohio State for his run-blocking ability, something that Penn State can use to move the running game forward in 2024.

With two talented backs in Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen returning for their junior seasons in 2024, having a talented run-blocking wide receiver could make a big impact in Penn State’s running game.

Julian Fleming has the potential to be a star for Penn State in 2024 with his ability to run block and provide Drew Allar a reliable target down the field.

Penn State Football fans should be happy to finally have Fleming back in Pennsylvania after four years at Big Ten rival Ohio State and to check off one starter for Penn State’s 2024 offense.