Penn State football is trying to set itself apart in 2024 from the other power programs in the Big Ten Conference. While the Nittany Lions have had plenty of success in recent years, it has been surpassed by Michigan and Ohio State in conference play. The Penn State football program has a dangerous weapon on this year's roster, though, that should be able to help the squad compete for the top spot in the league.

Penn State football weapon identified as breakout star

Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Julian Fleming (3) runs behind the line of scrimmage during the second quarter of the Blue White spring game at Beaver Stadium. The White team defeated the Blue team 27-0.
© Matthew O'Haren-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State football has a transfer player this season that is destined for a great campaign. That player is transfer wide receiver Julian Fleming, who enters the program after playing at Ohio State for the last four years. Fleming is a former Gatorade Player of the Year in Pennsylvania, when he was a high school prospect in 2018-2019. Fleming grew up only a few hours from State College, and is using his final year of college eligibility to play close to home.

Fleming came out of high school with all sorts of accolades. Not only did he have the Gatorade award, he was seen as one of the nation's top prospects. He finished his high school career setting records in Pennsylvania, with more than 4,400 receiving yards. He also caught a stunning number of touchdown passes, at 62. Those are simply video game numbers. The wide receiver was the no. 3 overall prospect in the 247 Sports high school recruiting class, after posting those stats. Bryce Young and only one other player were ranked ahead of him. He also got high rankings from ESPN and several other college football recruiting services.

Fleming didn't live up to those expectations though, when he came to Ohio State. The wideout was outshined by Marvin Harrison Jr. and some other members of the Buckeyes receiving corps. In his freshman season, Fleming finished with just 7 catches for 74 yards. His numbers got better, leading up to his best season in 2022. That year as a junior, he had a career-high in receptions and receiving yards. He finished the campaign with 34 catches for 533 yards, to go with 6 touchdowns.

The wideout is simply due for a breakout season. He transferred after a frustrating season last year at Ohio State, to give himself one more chance to improve his NFL draft stock. Fleming has never had a 1,000 yard receiving season in college. This is his time to do it. He joins the Penn State football program as the clear no. 1 receiving option for quarterback Drew Allar. Fleming simply has too much talent to be held down, and is absolutely in store to have a breakout season.

Fleming's performance this spring and looking ahead

This spring, Fleming had a quiet performance in the program's Blue-White game. Fleming caught only one pass in the game, per USA Today Sports. Penn State fans are hoping for much more from him this year, and he is capable of doing much more. Time will tell if Fleming is truly as good as advertised. This season is a golden opportunity for the Nittany Lions to break through the logjam that has held them down in the Big Ten. Michigan has a new coach, and several stars of that program have moved on to the NFL. This season may be Penn State's best chance to reclaim a conference title. Penn State hasn't won the Big Ten since 2016.

Penn State opens their season with a very difficult game, on the road at West Virginia. It will be Fleming's first chance to rack up some big numbers and show the world what he can do. The battle is scheduled for August 31.