Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1516624
M A R C H 2 0 2 4 11 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M to the head coaches of the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers, respec- tively. "I'll just go through and watch all those cut-ups, just stuff that we have in our offense and hopefully will get in this year. That fits our whole offense." Allar and his fellow offensive play- ers are also learning about Kotelnicki's system, which uses motions, shifts and formations to create advantages while deploying a zone-rushing attack to open up the ground game. A center during his playing days at Wisconsin-River Falls, Kotelnicki has consistently valued the rushing attack. Last season, the Jay- hawks ranked fourth in the Big 12 in rushing (206 yards per game) and fifth in total offense (446.1 ypg). "Coach K played O-line, and when he first got into coaching, he was an up- front, O-line, tight end guy," Allar said. "Being an explosive offense is about being balanced. You have to be able to throw the ball when you want to and be able to run the ball when you want to. "I think Coach K's past has shown that, just with his numbers. Looking at the analytics he's had in his past years as a coordinator, they're a very well-bal- anced offense." ■ JOE KRENTZMAN & SON, INC. • Buyers and Brokers of Steel, Iron and Nonferrous Metals • Industrial Scrap Buyers • Container Service Available • Large Service Territory Since 1903 Lewistown, PA • Hollidaysburg, PA • DuBois, PA (800) 543-2000 • www.krentzman.net F irst i n S cra p One of Penn State's top priorities during the postseason transfer window was to bolster its wide receiver corps. The Nittany Lions ended up signing one of their priority targets, landing former Ohio State wideout Julian Fleming. Fleming caught 80 passes for 990 yards and 7 touchdowns during his four seasons with the Buckeyes but opted to spend his final year of eli- gibility with the Nittany Lions, who had recruited him heavily when he was a five-star prospect coming out of Southern Columbia High in nearby Catawissa, Pa. Fleming enrolled at Penn State in January and has begun working out with his new teammates in advance of spring practice. Junior quarterback Drew Allar figures to be the biggest beneficiary of Fleming's arrival. When he spoke to reporters in mid-February, he said that the senior receiver had made a smooth transition to his new surroundings. "He brings a lot of experience and a lot of ma- turity to that room," Allar said. "He's just a really good add for our room, not only skill-wise but in terms of his personality off the field. He's been great so far. "He's been doing his thing in the weight room and out on the field when we get those opportunities. And then he's doing really well when we're doing our throwing as a team. I've been nothing but im- pressed with Julian. He handles everything the right way and approaches everything like a pro." Allar said he was "really excited" when he learned that Fleming was going to join the Nittany Lions' wide receiver corps. "I was able to meet him in person when he took a visit here," Allar said. "I was able to connect with him, just give him my phone number and things like that. "When he actually told me that he was coming here, I was very excited, because I knew the type of player he was throughout his career, and the type of player he wants to be. I think he's a great addition to our room, just because of how versatile he is as a receiver. He's not only a great receiver, but he's a great blocker, and he can do a lot of dif- ferent things that most receivers aren't willing to do. I think he just brings a great presence to that room." — Greg Pickel Wide Receiver Transfer Julian Fleming Is Fitting In Quickly Fleming was heavily recruited by the Nittany Lions com- ing out of high school. After four seasons at Ohio State, he has returned to his home state and will spend his final college campaign at PSU. PHOTO COURTESY ON3