Penn State football transfer competing for a starting job, says James Franklin

Penn State football made it a point to reunite with former recruiting connections through the transfer portal this winter, bringing former five-star in-state prospects Julian Fleming and Nolan Rucci to Happy Valley. Now with preseason camp less than two weeks away, James Franklin says both are “thriving” and ready to become significant contributors for the Nittany Lions this fall.

Speaking during day two of Big Ten Football Media Days on Wednesday, Franklin noted that Wisconsin transfer Nolan Rucci is set to compete for a starting role along the Penn State offensive front during camp.

“He’s competing for a starting job right now,” Franklin said. “He is happy and healthy. I have a very strong relationship with both his mom and dad. Both are Penn State alums. Both are former athletes at Penn State, and it’s been very clear to me that Nolan is thriving right now. When you talk to our strength coaches, he’s thriving. When you talk to his parents, he’s thriving.

“And I thought he did enough this spring to give himself a ton of confidence and also give us a ton of confidence as a coaching staff that he’s got a chance to play for us and play at a high level and allow us to win games in the Big Ten.”

“One of the big issues that he had before coming to Penn State was he had a hard time putting weight on,” Franklin also said of the redshirt junior offensive lineman, who weighs 317 pounds on the latest Penn State football roster. “He’s 6-8, so you can be 300 pounds, [and be] 6-8 [and] look skinny. And he’s like 320 pounds right now, and I don’t know if there is a thing, but he’s a skinny 320-pounder. I don’t know if that’s possible, but he really is at 6-8.”

James Franklin: Rucci, Fleming “in a good place” with Penn State football program

Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Although they’re coming home, entering the transfer portal is a fresh start for both Nolan Rucci and Julian Fleming. After four injury-filled years at Ohio State, Julian Fleming is back in central Pennsylvania with one year and more to prove.

This is the mentality that the former No. 1 wide receiver in the class of 2020 has carried throughout the offseason, according to James Franklin.

“First of all, I think the chip was there right from the beginning,” Franklin noted. “When we started looking into him once he entered the transfer portal, the chip was there. You look at whether it’s Rucci or himself, guys that were highly, highly recruited young men out of the state of Pennsylvania that had really high expectations. And, you know, whether it’s his perception or whether it’s outside perception that he’s got a lot more to give the game and a program.

“So he did a really good job of getting on campus and just getting to work and building that kind of trust and respect from his teammates. And then he’s gotten more vocal here recently, but he’s just in a good place. I think you look at those two guys specifically: I just think they’re in a good place emotionally, mentally, physically.”

Quickly emerging as one of the leaders of this year’s Penn State football roster, Franklin made it clear Wednesday that Fleming is looking to make the most of his short time in Happy Valley.

“But, you know, Julian, I think, really had that chip from the time we started talking to him, and obviously wants to be able to do big things for Penn State but also for himself.”

Penn State football kicks off the 2024 season in a road contest against the West Virginia Mountaineers. The August 31 matchup will air on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff.

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