Future 5* Julian Fleming:
2020 offer Julian Fleming a longtime follower of Penn State football
It’s easy to sense the excitement in Julian Fleming’s voice when he discusses his latest scholarship offer. The standout 2020 Pennsylvania receiver added Penn State to his list Saturday, making plenty of family members happy.
“Pretty much everyone in my family is a Penn State fan,” he said.
Fleming, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound rising sophomore at Southern Columbia High School, typically attends multiple Nittany Lions games each season. His next trip to Beaver Stadium should feel a bit different, as he is officially now a recruiting target of the team.
Fleming picked up a Penn State offer shortly before the start of an expansive 7-on-7 tournament in State College. He completed combine drills for the Nittany Lions staff, finishing the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds and logging a 32-inch vertical leap.
Coach James Franklin revealed the team’s intentions afterward. Then, in a move that impressed the coveted underclassman, Franklin called Fleming’s mother to personally share his decision.
“I was so excited, and my mom was even more excited,” Fleming said. “It’s definitely special to get an offer in person from the head coach like that.”
His list of collegiate opportunities continues to grow. Michigan was the first program to extend an offer
– on March 13
– and Connecticut, Michigan State, Rutgers, Syracuse and West Virginia have since entered the mix.
Fleming admits it’s all been a pleasant surprise.
“I didn’t expect to have any offers, honestly,” he said. “I didn’t think my freshman season was that amazing, and I feel like I can do a lot better.”
Fleming had 36 receptions for 956 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2016,
according to MaxPreps. He averaged 26.6 yards per reception, displaying a rare bend of size, speed and coordination at his age.
Penn State became the fourth Big Ten program to recognize him as an early priority in the 2020 recruiting cycle. He carries 5-star potential and is the most impressive freshman prospect I’ve seen in person this year.
“I’m pretty physical as a receiver,” Fleming said. “I’ll block for my running back and quarterback downfield, and I like to fight for extra yards. I’m not going to try to juke everyone out. I’ll put my head down if I have to.”
His athletic success extends beyond the football field, as he quickly became a name to know at Southern Columbia.
Fleming qualified in four events at the Pennsylvania spring track and field championships. Earlier in the school year, he led the basketball team in scoring and rebounding.
“Jumping up for rebounds and changing directions on the court contributes to what I do in football, and it’s the same with track since I’m developing explosiveness and a quick start,” Fleming said.
He explained that his experience Saturday puts Penn State very high on his list of universities moving forward.
“It really stands out, especially with the coaches,” Fleming said. “They went way out of their way Saturday just to spend time with my family, bring players over for pictures, and drive me to games on their golf cart. It was a great experience. Penn State is one the top schools right now and I can’t thank them enough for what they did for me.”
He met Nittany Lions receivers coach Josh Gattis for the first time Saturday, though they previously spoke on the phone.
“He’s someone that I need to get to know,” Fleming said. “He would make me a lot better as a person and as a player.”
Gattis, Franklin and other Penn State assistants spent a portion of the day observing him in action. He helped lead Southern Columbia to the quarterfinals in a tournament that featured 55 teams.
“That made me want to make an immediate impact on the field,” Fleming said. “I wanted to show them I have more than all the combine testing numbers. It was important to catch all the balls my quarterback put up there for me, be a leader and help my team in any way possible.”
Fleming will return to State College before the next recruiting “dead period” begins June 26. Connecticut and Syracuse are also possible destinations in the coming week.
Fleming has plans to visit three FBS games this season. He will accept game-day invitations to Penn State, Pittsburgh and West Virginia.