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Penn State Football: Where does Saquon Barkley rank?

By Collin Wieder

Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first half during the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first half during the Big Ten Championship college football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Penn State football featured many talented backs throughout the program’s illustrious history. Saquon Barkley is the latest in the Nittany Lions’ line. Where does Barkley end up on the all-time list?

Although Saquon Barkley still has some year(s) left to play, there’s no doubt he’ll end up in rare company. He already created his own Penn State football legacy and historical mark rushing for 1,000-plus yards in his first two seasons as a freshman and sophomore.

Despite the brilliant backs in Penn State’s history, Tony Hunt, Evan Royster, Curtis Enis, Ki-Jana Carter, Curt Warner, etc. they couldn’t accomplish that. I’m not saying Barkley has passed them, because he hasn’t yet, and he may not. However, the star tailback creates plays no one has seen from a Penn State bellcow.

Barkley‘s game features every move in the book. Barkley comes from another planet in terms of athleticism. His versatility truly scares opposing defenses. He can straight burn you with his speed, spin out of tackles, truck players, hurdle oncoming defenders and jump cut with the likes of NFL legends. It’s easy to see his array of weapons on his highlight tape. (Courtesy of Nittany Nation).

If film doesn’t convince you, production will. Barkley compiled 3,135 total yards of offense and 30 touchdowns averaging a ridiculous 6.2 yards per touch.

As of right now, Barkley ranks 12th all time on the Nittany Lions’ career rushing yards list and He could surpass the all time leading rusher with a similar year to 2016. Barkley must have another season like 2016, but he needs 1,361 yards to pass Royster.

Is he the greatest?

Obviously, Barkley has another year of eligibility beyond 2017, but his NFL draft projections will probably take him to the NFL. Whatever he wants to add to his legacy will have to happen in 2017. Now that we’ve got the numbers and background info out-of-the-way, where does he rank? First, he already stands alone as the greatest career opener in Penn State football.

No back has done what he did in his first two years, as mentioned earlier. Furthermore, Barkley led the team to its best season since 2009 going 11-3 and winning the program’s fourth Big Ten title. A lot of player’s abandoned this program and negativity surrounded the program. Barkley, along with Trace McSorley, gave this program hope.

In his career, the production could easily put him over the top, but production can be manipulated in different eras. John Cappelletti couldn’t match what players do now because offenses operated much simpler and rarely used backs as receivers.

Nevertheless, his talent and ability are rivaled by few in the Nittany Lions’ stable of backs. Some of the Nittany Lions’ rushing leaders are hammers or speed backs, but Barkley brings the whole package. It’s what separates him from the rest.

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There are few times people can watch history happen with their own eyes. With the way Barkley is playing, we could be in for a real treat in 2017.

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