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UNIVERSITY PARK -- Just in the last couple of years, the list of Ohio State receivers who launched from Columbus to the NFL -- mainly in the first round -- is staggering.
It includes Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, both in 2022, Jaxon Smith-Njigba in 2023 and Marvin Harrison Jr. this past April.
Unfortunately for Julian Fleming, however, it did not include him.
The former Southern Columbia High School standout and national high school player all the way back in 2018 kept getting bypassed as the Buckeyes' top target.
He did finish with 79 receptions for 963 yards and seven touchdowns through four seasons, but he decided it was best not to finish his career with the Buckeyes and is now vying to become the Nittany Lions' desperately needed No. 1 receiver.
Fleming was cordial but succinct during Penn State's media day on Saturday at Holuba Hall.
"The past is the past," he said. "I'm just looking to get better in every aspect every day and help the team any way possible."
But he also understands full well, perhaps from his experience, "Every year you have to be better or you're replaceable."
Fleming felt he learned from his decorated Buckeye teammates, whom he called "a lot of first-round draft picks and future Hall of Famers."
He sees Penn State quarterback Drew Allar with a similar upside and has built a chemistry with him since arriving in January.
"Drew's a great talent," Fleming said. "He's going to be a first-round draft pick, no doubt in my mind. His mentality, his work ethic -- everything aligns with what you look for in a star quarterback."
James Franklin was measured in his praise for Fleming on Saturday, calling him "solid" in the first few practice sessions and acknowledging that the wide receiver position has been "the big question mark," for those outside the program.
Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki said the staff is looking for "someone who has the ability to dictate the depth and width of routes ... (someone who is) going to take the ball, not having those things dictated to you, not having a defensive back tell you where the route has to be run."
He sees Fleming in the mix that includes Trey Wallace, Liam Clifford, Omari Evans and Kaden Saunders, a quartet that combined for just 42 catches last year.
Fleming is impressed with Kotelnicki, whose forte at Kansas was spreading the field and getting chunk plays.
"Coach K's offense has so many moving parts and versatility," he said. "I love his offense, and I think you'll see a showcase."
His new surroundings should make a difference. He's back in the state where he set scholastic records for most career receiving touchdowns (77) and receiving yardage (5,514), and is just 90 minutes from his home in Catawissa.
"I get to see my family a lot - in the offseason, on weekends or when we have time off," he said. "It's a lot more convenient to them."
Between his freshman and sophomore seasons at Southern Columbia, Fleming was taking part in a 7-on-7 summer camp at Penn State when Nittany Lion staff members "pulled me in to do some testing."
Shortly thereafter, Franklin told him to call his mother and got on the phone to offer a scholarship.
"He told her before he told me," Fleming said. "It was a pretty cool thing. I have a lot of respect for him, especially for wanting my mom on the phone before he did it."
Some eight years later, Fleming and Penn State are hoping that call finally pays off.
Rudel can be reached at nrudel@altoonamirror.com. He will respond to brief comments and questions in Penn State Gameday this fall.