Former five-star wide receiver recruit Julian Fleming announced that he is leaving Ohio State.
Fleming had 72 catches for 1,582 yards and 22 touchdown this season after catching 78 passes for 1,524 yards and 22 touchdowns as a junior.
“I want to thank Ohio State and all the amazing people who were apart of my rollercoaster of a journey,” Fleming wrote in a statement posted on X. “Playing in Columbus has truly been one of the greatest times of my life and I want to take the time to thank the entire Buckeyes nation for all the support! With that being said I am entering my name into the transfer portal for a final year!”
The two-time Gatorade Pennsylvania Player of the Year winner in 2018 and 2019 was the No. 4 overall prospect in the country by 247Sports in 2020. He joins a list of Buckeyes entering the transfer portal that also includes starting quarterback Kyle McCord.
Ohio State will have significant changes to its wide receiving corps next season, with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka expected to enter the 2024 NFL draft.
Carnell Tate had 260 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman, while the roster also includes fellow freshmen Brandon Inniss, Noah Rogers and Bryson Rodgers. Coach Ryan Day’s incoming recruiting class features Mylan Graham, Jeremiah McClellan and Jeremiah Smith.
“I’m going to play in an NFL defense surrounded by some of the best players in the country,” Clark told On3Sports.com. “Being coached by guys whose attention-to-detail is second-to-none in a building where everybody is dead set on not just getting to the Playoff, but winning.”
–Georgia defensive end Jonathan Jefferson will leave the Bulldogs, whom he joined as a four-star recruit in the 2021 class. He played in seven games this season, recording a lone tackle. He joins Georgia pass rusher Darris Smith in the portal, and the Bulldogs could lose defensive linemen Nazir Stackhouse and Warren Brinson to the NFL draft.
–Arizona State graduate transfer defensive back Jordan Clark announced Monday night that he is headed to Notre Dame. Clark, who recorded 50 tackles last season and appeared in 40 games for the Sun Devils, will play his sixth season for the Fighting Irish courtesy of the universal pandemic eligibility waiver.
–Former four-star safety Jardin Gilbert joins the list of former Jimbo Fisher recruits leaving Texas A&M, according to On3. The White Castle, La., native registered 79 tackles in 25 games for the Aggies. However, Gilbert appeared in only two games this season, recording five tackles.
–Twin brothers Destin Wade and Keaten Wade are planning to transfer from Kentucky, per multiple reports.
Destin Wade is a redshirt quarterback whose only appearance for the Wildcats was in last season’s Music City Bowl, starting after Will Levis left the program to prepare for the NFL draft. He was rated as a three- or four-star recruit by various services who was named Tennessee’s “Mr. Football” for Division I, Class 6A.
Meanwhile, Keaten Wade recorded 35 tackles and a sack while appearing every game this season.
–NC State quarterback MJ Morris told 247Sports that LSU is among programs to contact him since entering the transfer portal. Morris has thrown for 1,367 yards with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions in nine games over the past two years.
Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels is the Heisman Trophy favorite and is projected as a first-round pick if he enters the 2024 NFL Draft. In-house candidates to replace him include Garrett Nussmeier and Rickie Collins, who is redshirting as a freshman this season.
Former LSU wide receiver Deion Smith committed to SEC rival Ole Miss. The former four-star recruit caught 11 passes for 186 yards and a pair of touchdowns in six games for the Tigers.
–Nebraska tight end Jake Appleget announced that he is entering the transfer portal on social media. The redshirt freshman appeared in six games this season on special teams. Initially a three-star prospect as a linebacker, Appleget has three years of eligibility remaining.
“Thank you to the coaches, strength staff, and my teammates here at Nebraska for everything over these past two years,” he wrote on X. “After talks with my family and coaches, I have decided that it is in my best interest to enter the transfer portal.”
Meanwhile, On3 reported the Huskers have met with former Michigan State quarterback Sam Leavitt as it explores portal options at the position. Nebraska has also met with former Kansas State quarterback Will Howard.
–Freshman cornerback Jermod McCoy joined the list of players transferring from Oregon State following the departure of coach Jonathan Smith to Michigan State, according to multiple reports. McCoy played in every game as a true freshman, recording 31 tackles and two interceptions.
Quarterbacks DJ Uiagalelei and Aidan Chiles have previously announced they are transferring from the Beavers program.
–Clemson freshman defensive end David Ojiegbe has entered the transfer portal, according to On3. A former four-star recruit out of the Washington, D.C., area, reshirted this season after playing just 11 snaps in two appearances in 2022.
–Louisville’s Izaiah Reed and fellow Cardinals defensive ends Popeye Williams and Victoine Brown are in the transfer portal, according to On3. That brings the total to seven Louisville players intending to transfer. Craig was primarily a special teams player this past season, recording just three tackles in 27 defensive snaps.
–Field Level Media
