Scarlet and Game
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Ohio State Football: Freshmen who could make an immediate impact

By Frank Teriaca

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 07: Ryan Day the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 07: Ryan Day the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: Garrett Wilson #5 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is tackled by Derion Kendrick #1 of the Clemson Tigers after making a first down catch in the first half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 28: Garrett Wilson #5 of the Ohio State Buckeyes is tackled by Derion Kendrick #1 of the Clemson Tigers after making a first down catch in the first half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Julian Fleming, Wide receiver

As noted with Mookie Cooper, three Buckeye wide receivers from last seasons squad are leaving meaning playing time will be up for grabs in Brian Hartline’s unit. Fleming is an outstanding talent, coming in as the No.2 overall prospect in this class according to 247Sports.

It would be shocking if Fleming does not get rolled into the lineup the same way Garrett Wilson did during this past season.

A key with freshman getting playing time is if they are physically able to perform with the stronger athletes they will go up against in college. Fleming’s high school coach, Jim Roth, told Cleveland.com that Flemming is more than ready physically:

"“He’s probably pushing 6-foot-3 and he’s up to about 210 (pounds) now because he really put some weight on,” Roth said. “He’s gotten a lot stronger, he probably has as good of strength as a lot of guys that are playing in the NFL. I know he’s repped 225 over 15 times, which is pretty significant for a high school kid. His weight gain was the right type of weight gain. It was done through lifting and natural growth.”"

Next. Weighing losses, retention for 2020 season. dark

So Fleming should be ready physically. So as long as he can pick up the playbook and learn to block the way Hartline expects his receivers to be able to, than Fleming should have a Garrett Wilson like season for Ohio State in 2020.

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