NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Julian Fleming has been lauded by Penn State coaches and teammates for how he’s conducted himself since transferring there in January.
They’ve talked about the former Southern Columbia star’s work habits, his leadership, his blocking and his willingness to put the team first.
So it’s unclear why Fleming, who caught 60 passes the last two seasons at Ohio State, has been targeted just 15 times in the first six games.
“It’s kind of how the game goes,” he said Tuesday during a conference call. “A lot of teams are playing us a little bit differently than we expected. I’m just trying to make an impact in any way possible throughout the games. It’s something I’ve been trying to pride myself on.”
After four seasons at Ohio State, Fleming transferred to Penn State seemingly hoping to have more opportunities than he did while playing behind such NFL receivers as Marvin Harrison Jr., Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.
That hasn’t happened. Fleming has only nine catches for 132 yards for the third-ranked Nittany Lions (3-0 Big Ten, 6-0), who meet Wisconsin (3-1, 5-2) Saturday night at 7:30 at Camp Randall Stadium.
His numbers pale compared to those from the first half of last season when he had 16 receptions for 162 yards on 24 targets with the Buckeyes.
“When I look at it, I’m a little disappointed just because I thought he was going to get more opportunities, more targets,” Southern Columbia coach Jim Roth said. “When he was healthy and on the field with a stronger receiving corps at Ohio State, he was getting more targets than this.
“(Penn State coach James) Franklin really wanted him from day one, so I figured they’d plug him into a role where he was really going to be involved.”
The 6-2, 206-pound Fleming is part of a four-man rotation at wide receiver, He trails tight end…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/penn-state-julian-fleming-seeks-034600060.html
Author : Reading Eagle, Pa.
Publish date : 2024-10-23 03:46:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
