Freshman Spotlight: Julian Fleming, Ohio State

As we get ready for the 2020 season at CFB Saturdays we will be spotlighting some of the key freshman we expect to play a big role for their teams this season. We are looking at highly talented players who have an opportunity to play and make an impact this fall. Star WR Julian Fleming of Ohio State is the subject of today’s freshman Spotlight as we breakdown his impact on the 2020 season.

Background

Julian Fleming is the #3 ranked player in the country according to the 247Sports Composite. Fleming is from Catawissa, PA and starred at Southern Columbia High School where he dominated on the football field. Fleming was selected the Gatorade Player of the Year in Pennsylvania. He committed to Ohio State in May 2019 over Clemson and Penn State among others. Fleming enrolled early for the Buckeyes but due to CO-Vid 19 spring practice was cut short in March. He did manage to flash his potential in his short time on campus and is in line to make a major impact this fall.

Scouting Report

Fleming is a physical talented football player who makes everything look easy. He has excellent size at 6’2″ 199 lbs and is in an incredible athlete running a 4.45 laser timed 40 yards dash with a 40″ vertical. He is such a smooth athlete that he often doesn’t get credit for how great of an athlete he is, everything he does looks so effortless you don’t realize how amazing it is. Fleming puts that athleticism to work with the ball in his hands, he is a phenomenal player after the catch with the strength to break tackles but the quickness and explosiveness to dodge and run past defenders. He catches the ball easily and makes difficult catches with regularity. Fleming has soft hands and catches the ball away from his body. He is excellent in contested catch situations, using his strength and leaping ability to make the play.

Julian Fleming’s smooth stride, speed and explosiveness allow him to separate from defenders with ease. He finds another gear and runs away from defenders who appear to be in good position. Fleming will need to work on the technical aspects of being a receiver and work on his route running. He already shows potential and WR Coach Brian Hartline should have no trouble teaching Fleming the nuances of the position. Fleming has shown a willingness to block which the Buckeyes require of their receivers. Fleming has all the physical tools to be a three and done player for the Buckeyes before he moves onto the NFL.

Outlook

Ryan Day and the Buckeyes had a great season in 2020 and return star QB Justin Field (#2 QB). They do lose outstanding RB JK Dobbins and three WRs who all played a lot of snaps in KJ Hill, Austin Mack and Binjimen Victor. The cupboard at WR is not bare however, the Buckeyes return Chris Olave (#7 WR) and Garrett Wilson(#15 WR). Fleming will also get competition from second year player Jameson Williams as well as fellow star freshmen Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Gee Scott Jr. and Mookie Cooper. The Buckeyes employ a rotation at WR and mix in five or six players at the position creating opportunities for many players. Fleming is too talented not to find his way into that rotation.

Julian Fleming has all the physical tools to play college football right away. He will need to learn the playbook and refine his technique but that shouldn’t stop him from having an early impact. He has a great position coach who will get him up to speed quickly allowing Fleming to get on the field and make plays this September. A lot like Garrett Wilson last year and Chris Olave in 2018 look for Fleming’s role to grow as the season progresses. Barring injury Fleming will be a three and done player at Ohio State so there is no point in saving him. This time next year we will be figuring out where in the Top 25 we need to rank Fleming after his big freshman season.

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