Penn State Football: Miles Sanders deserves high praise

Following in Penn State football great Saquon Barkley’s footsteps was an almost impossible situation, but Miles Sanders filled the void admirably.

Trying to replace program legends is never easy. Usually, there’s no way to replace departing stars with someone of equal or similar talent. For Penn State football, junior running back Miles Sanders was expected to be a star, but many knew he couldn’t be a mirror copy of Saquon Barkley. It’s not fair to put any player replacing Barkley in the same category, mostly because he’s a once-in-a-generation talent. Even Still, Sanders made his own legacy worthy of respect.

In his first year as a starter, Sanders rushed for 1,223 yards and nine touchdowns on 5.9 yards per carry. His production sits just a few yards behind Barkley’s from last year with one game to go – that’s because he can do a lot with a football in his hands.

Sanders has a lot of the same tools as Barkley. He can make quick cuts with little space, which was no better demonstrated than the run against Michigan State, where he cut a touchdown run back across the field

In addition, he can stick his helmet in opposing players’ chests and run them over. Above all that, Sanders boasts an athleticism that can do anything. The exhilarating hurdles, catches out of the backfield or ability to keep his legs moving off one tackle can’t be overstated.

He’s far from detracted to the run game. In fact, the run game actually produced better this year (2,212 in 2017; 2,503 in 2018) with Sanders at the running back spot as opposed to Barkley. Now, obviously the offensive line was the better, the passing game struggled and Trace McSorley was phenomenal on the ground this year, but it’s worth noting. The run game didn’t take a hit. It flourished with Sanders as the bellcow.

Now, he didn’t quite do the same damage in the passing game, catching 22 passes for 132 yards and a touchdown, but it’s not like he has had the same opportunities that Barkley had, plus it was also his third year as a starter and the passing game was more consistent. If he stays, expect that to be an area he produces better in.

From what I’ve seen Penn State football has just done a fantastic job of recruiting otherworldly backs. It’s an embarrassment of riches that needs to be appreciated, just like Sanders’ season needs to be.

Although Barkley’s move to the NFL was a major loss, Sanders made it seem like nothing changed. With the possibility of Sanders also moving on, I’d expect nothing less than another productive year from whichever back takes the lead.