There’s not many running backs in the NFL more prolific right now than New York Giants star Saquon Barkley, and this season, Barkley might break through and establish himself as the top running back in the league as a whole. However, Barkley’s history of dominance stretches back to before his NFL career. The Giants drafted him at number two overall because of his accomplishments as one of the top backs in the country at Penn State.
More recently, Barkley was recognized by the Big Ten Network for his play in college which saw him lead Penn State in their revival as one of the top programs in the country. Barkley played at the same time as multiple other influential running backs in the conference, Ezekiel Elliot included, but at the end of the day it was Barkley that was selected by BTN for their All-Decade Team.
Over the course of his college career, Barkley played for the Nittany Lions for three years and achieved 5,038 total yards rushing and receiving and 51 touchdowns. He averaged an impressive 6.5 yards from scrimmage per play over those three years, showing just how big he was as a member of the Penn State offense.
Barkley, of course, made a big splash and was one of the top rushers in the league after coming out into the NFL from Penn State as a second overall draft pick with the Giants. His second season was slower because of injury, but Barkley is expected to be back to full speed for the 2020 season as one of the main offensive weapons of the team.
And as we get ready for the upcoming season, it’s worth looking back at Barkley’s college highlights. They say a lot about just how lethal Barkley can be to the other team when fully healthy.