Julian Fleming WR Penn State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Julian Fleming WR Penn State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.35 seconds (93%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside X-Receiver | |
| Last Updated: 09/21/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.35 seconds (93%*) | |
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| Overall Rating: | 80.1 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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76% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 93.4 | |
| Hands: |
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53% |
| Short Receiving: |
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61% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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72% |
| Deep Threat: |
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61% |
| Blocking: |
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66% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
UDFA
Overall Rank:
#282
Position rank:
#33
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| College Games: 50 College Snaps: 1706 | ||
ESPN RATING: 93/100
College Combine Results
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OVR Rank:
#1
Pos Rank:
#1
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 100/100
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| Ovr Rank: #4 Pos Rank: #1 | ||
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RIVALS RATING: 6.1 (100%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jalen Wayne - South Alabama |
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75% |
| Dontay Demus Jr. - Maryland |
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62% |
| Cornelius Johnson - Michigan |
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58% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Julian Fleming was a highly touted 5-star recruit coming out of Southern Columbia High School in Pennsylvania. He set state records with 255 receptions, 5,514 receiving yards and 77 touchdowns in his illustrious prep career. Fleming chose Ohio State over offers from nearly every major program, entering Columbus as the top-ranked wide receiver prospect in the 2020 class.Despite the lofty expectations, injuries and a loaded receiver room limited Fleming's impact with the Buckeyes. He totaled just 80 receptions for 990 yards and 7 touchdowns across four seasons. His best year came in 2022 when he caught 34 passes for 533 yards and 6 scores. After graduating in December 2023, Fleming entered the transfer portal and landed at Penn State for his final season of eligibility.
At 6'2" and 206 pounds, Fleming brings an intriguing blend of size and athleticism to the NFL. He clocked a blazing 4.35 40-yard dash at his pro day, showcasing the straight-line speed that made him such a coveted recruit. While his college production underwhelmed, scouts remain intrigued by Fleming's physical tools and untapped potential.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional straight-line speed (4.35 40-yard dash) allows him to take the top off defenses and threaten vertically
- Prototypical NFL size at 6'2" 206 lbs with a muscular frame to box out defenders
- Strong, reliable hands with only 6 drops on 125 career targets at Ohio State
- Uses size and leaping ability effectively to win contested catch situations downfield
- Physical blocker who isn't afraid to do the dirty work in the run game
- Former 5-star recruit with immense physical talent and upside still to be unlocked
- Basketball background shows up in body control and ability to high-point passes
- Flashes creativity and toughness as a runner after the catch
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Underwhelming college production with just 80 catches for 990 yards in four seasons at Ohio State
- Injury history is concerning, including multiple shoulder procedures that have limited availability
- Lacks elite short-area quickness and explosion in and out of breaks
- Route tree remains underdeveloped, relied heavily on vertical routes and simple concepts
- Struggles to consistently create separation against tight man coverage
Scouting Report: Summary
Julian Fleming's transfer to Penn State for his final season showcases his determination to prove himself outside Ohio State's crowded receiver room. At Penn State, he emerged as a leader and key target, demonstrating his ability to adapt and contribute in a new system. This experience, coupled with his exceptional size and speed, makes him an intriguing NFL prospect. Schematically, Fleming's skill set aligns with vertical passing games that can leverage his deep-threat capability. His development as a route runner and ability to create consistent separation will be pivotal for his NFL success. Teams will likely view him as a high-ceiling prospect with room for growth. Fleming's NFL trajectory will hinge on his ability to stay healthy and refine his technical skills. While his physical traits are impressive, translating them into consistent on-field production remains his primary challenge. His willingness to contribute on special teams could be crucial as he works to establish himself in an NFL offense.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
Julian Fleming percentiles vs other Wide Receivers (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Julian Fleming (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
422.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
60.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.