With Julian Fleming in and multiple players back, Penn State receivers room aims to take the next step this spring
STATE COLLEGE — The Penn State receivers room was perhaps not as underperforming as it was characterized as throughout the 2023 season. But, there is no question that the group, and the offense overall, needs to be better in 2024. That’s why the Nittany Lions brought Andy Kotelnicki in to run the offense, And, it’s also why Julian Fleming is here after having a productive start to his career at Ohio State. The Pa., native and former five-star recruit has been widely praised since arriving in January for the start of the spring semester. There is hope, too, that the returners, both ones with experience on the field and also those who are fighting for a bigger rep share, are ready to raise the level of their play, too, under the direction of second-year position coach Marques Hagans.
If everything goes as planned, this room won’t be the weakness it was seen as last year. And, the work to try and flip the narrative starts now. Spring practice kicks off Tuesday and runs through the Blue-White game on April 13.
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“I don’t think we’ve ever had, really, a talent issue at wideout,” Lions coach James Franklin said. “If you look at our guys’ athletic numbers, testing numbers, I think it’s as good as anywhere in the country. I think you take that, and now you take another year of experience, I think there are some things we can do offensively to help, as well. And, Marques having his second year as the receivers coach is going to be helpful as well.
“Julian Fleming, another local guy that we’ve been able to bring back home, has bought an element of experience [and] maturity, that I think has been really good. He’s approached things the right way since he stepped on campus.”
Lions aim to take the next step
Fleming, of course, has been the focal point of the receivers room since he arrived. But, he’s not the only one in it, of course. Last year’s top pass catchers, KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Harrison “Trey” Wallace III, are back. So, too, is Liam Clifford. Mehki Flowers is now playing receiver after starting his career at safety. And, other scholarship returners at the position under Hagans’ direction include Malick Meiga, Omari Evans, Kaden Saunders, Tyler Johnson, Malick McClain, Anthony Ivey, and Carmelo Taylor.
If Franklin is right and the Penn State issue is simply related to talent and athleticism not translating to production, then that can be fixed with a better scheme, a focus on the little things, and good coaching. The best case if that a few options emerge as potential leaders coming out of spring practice. The worst case, of course, would be for the group to all ascend slowly and in unison. Seeing will be believing in the fall with this position group. But, the Lions think they have the right pieces in place to improve.
“I didn’t feel like we needed to go out and do a whole lot in the transfer portal,” Franklin said. “But, we needed to make sure we had enough competition at every single position to bring out the best. I think Julian has helped with that along with the players in our program taking the next step.
“And when I say younger players, that’s all of them. Including the veteran guys that we fully expect to take the next step.”
