For what has otherwise been a positive and not particularly newsworthy spring practice period for Penn State football, coach James Franklin did drop what some might consider to be a small, but concerning, nugget this past Tuesday.
“I still would like to see a group of guys really kind of separate themselves from the pack,” Franklin said of the receivers. “I think the whole group has improved. But, I’d like to see a couple guys kind of kind of separate themselves and you know, make it clearly obvious to everybody.”
In the defense of Penn State’s wideouts, spring practice is only halfway complete and includes no small part of the basics, the fundamentals and the installation of the little things often more than it does big sweeping opportunities to show game-speed competency. Not looking like the best receiver in America in the middle of March is not a sign of bigger problems to come. It is, to some degree, how things go this time of year.
But for a group that was in many ways the biggest weakness Penn State’s offense had in 2023, a public lament of still desired progress does little to bestow confidence that a season-long issue will somehow change overnight. Then again, as Penn State continues to work under the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki and presumed starting quarterback Drew Allar continues to grow and mature, the receivers should benefit and improve in kind by that factor alone.
All of that being said, Franklin’s public challenge for someone to separate themselves from the pack comes with a raised eyebrow, no matter how young this season still might be.
Enter Ohio State transfer receiver Julian Fleming.
“To be honest with you, he’s been great,” Franklin said of Fleming, a former Penn State recruiting target. “… the guys love him. He’s been awesome as a teammate. He’s been really coachable. I think he has been able to kind of move on. We’ve moved on. There’s been no talk about the past. He has just been really good. His grandfather has been up in practice. The other day his uncle was up at practice, which is obviously a huge advantage of a local guy staying home. He has been really good. I think for both parties. I don’t want to speak for Julian, but it seems like it’s been really good in terms of just energy, morale, and expectations. He has been great. He has been a really good addition. I know that he’s earned the coaches’ and the players’ trust and respect pretty quickly.”
Fleming comes to Penn State in a unique situation, a former highly touted in-state prospect ending up at Ohio State only to eventually make his way back to State College with something to prove. Fleming’s former high-profile stock generates a buzz, his lukewarm numbers at Ohio State less appealing, although with the caveat that being stuck behind Marvin Harrison Jr. — maybe the best receiver in America — doesn’t mean Fleming is a slouch.
And that could maybe be the perfect medicine as one of the newest Nittany Lions looks to help fix one of this team’s oldest problems. Just a bit a chip on the shoulder and a whole lot to prove in a room that could afford to spend some time proving people wrong.
Whether Fleming goes the route of transfer portal star Mitchell Tinsley or that of transfer portal dud Dante Cephas remains to be seen, but the answer could very well dictate Penn State’s season. Especially true if he’s flanked by a healthy Trey Wallace and confident KeAndre Lambert-Smith.
