Julian Fleming's homecoming: A Modern College Athlete
Open Access
- Author:
- Ralph, Maxwell
- Area of Honors:
- Journalism
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- John R Affleck, Thesis Supervisor
Walter Middlebrook, Thesis Honors Advisor - Keywords:
- Football
Sports
Penn State
College Sports - Abstract:
- College sports as the world knew them have evolved significantly over the past five years. The NCAA altered a pair of rules in 2021 regarding Name, Image and Likeness legislation as well as athlete transfer rules. Athletes were suddenly able to transfer schools and become immediately eligible to play at the beginning of their next season. Off the field, NCAA athletes became able to profit off of their brand for the first time. That’s where Julian Fleming, the subject of this thesis, fits in. Fleming, a fifth-year wide receiver in his first semester at Penn State entering the 2024 season, has taken full advantage of what the world of college football has to offer. A Pennsylvania native and one of the most prolific high school players in the state’s history, Fleming started his career at Ohio State. He saw a little bit of everything while there, including College Football Playoff appearances and challenging injuries. Now, Fleming has come back home in hopes of furthering his football career by making himself seem like an attractive option to NFL teams. Through interviews with family members, coaches and others who have watched his career, this thesis will examine Fleming’s life and career. It will tell the oral history of his development and the impact of his homecoming on Penn State, both the team and community. From the business decisions off the field, on-field highs and hardships along the way, this thesis will show what goes into being a college athlete in 2024.