Wide receiver Julian Fleming from Southern Columbia High School in Catawissa, Pennsylvania is now officially a Buckeye.
Fleming sent in his signed Letter of Intent to join Ohio State’s 2020 recruiting class.
Fleming is the top prospect in the 2020 recruiting class per ESPN, the No. 4 player per 247Sports, and the No. 6 player according to Rivals.
A 6-foot-2, 200-pound target for quarterbacks, Fleming caught 72 passes for 1,572 yards and 23 touchdowns this season, repeating as the Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year.
He is one of three finalists for the Gatorade National Player of the Year.
Ranking: Fleming is a 5-star prospect and the top receiver in the 2020 recruiting class. He is the No. 2 player overall in the 247Sports Composite.
Other Offers: He chose Ohio State over offers from every other top program in the nation, including Clemson, Alabama, and LSU. He also held offers from Penn State and Michigan.
Positional Projection: He will be a wide receiver and could eventually manage either outside spot for the Buckeyes.
Commitment: Fleming committed on May 31, 2019, spurning in-state Penn State in the process.
Enrolling: He is expected to enroll early.
Projected Impact: The Buckeyes will be losing at least three senior receivers, so there will be an opportunity for a freshman like Fleming to help out early on.
The last two seasons have been buoyed by freshman receivers. In 2018 it was Chris Olave. In 2019, Garrett Wilson provided the depth the Buckeyes needed.
Projecting on the outside at either X or Z, which is exactly what the Buckeyes are losing in the departures of Binjimen Victor and Austin Mack, Fleming’s speed, size, strength, and overall athletic ability combine well with his ball skills.
Fleming is one of four receivers in the 2020 class for the Buckeyes, but none come with higher expectations of an immediate impact.
