5-Star Stud Julian Fleming Explains Why He Picked Ohio State Over PSU

Recruiting is surely one of the most chaotic, unpredictable aspects of college football. Coaches, players, alumni, and fans all band together with the hopes of getting that top prospect to commit their services. But you never quite know where a guy will go before a ton of drama has unfolded. That's just how it is.

For 5-star 2020 wide receiver Julian Fleming, the drama is over-- and he's definitely disappointed a lot of fans in the process. The Pennsylvania native turned down the Nittany Lions to sign with their Big Ten rivlas, the Ohio State Buckeyes. And he wasn't cagey as to why.

Fleming noted that this decision was difficult considering the special ties he held with Penn State through close friends and family, but he ultimately had to make the best decision for himself. He also noted that he had built good relationships with the coaching staff over his 20 or so total visits to the school, but there was too much instability, as he described it.

During his three years of recruitment by the Nittany Lions, Fleming was recruited by three different wide receiver coaches, with some of them having recruited him at multiple schools since his process started. He felt that his relationship with OSU's wide reveiver coach, former Buckeye and NFL player Brian Hartline, was stronger than with anyone at Penn State.

Fleming also saw problems with the way PSU utilized their wide receivers. He noted seeing former 5-star prospect Justin Shorter getting limited time and attention on the field his freshman year, and felt that such a gifted athlete deserved more of a look from James Franklin and his staff.

Despite committing elsewhere, Fleming says he has continued to receive supportive messages and good wishes from the Penn State staff. At the very least, if there's any ill will in State College, the adults in the room are keeping it to themselves.