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Penn State Football: ranking the best offensive players of the James Franklin era

By Nick Kreiser

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 09: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions and Saquon Barkley #26 in action against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Beaver Stadium on September 9, 2017 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 09: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions and Saquon Barkley #26 in action against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Beaver Stadium on September 9, 2017 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 01: Miles Sanders #24 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes for a 4 yard touchdown in overtime against the Appalachian State Mountaineers on September 1, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 01: Miles Sanders #24 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes for a 4 yard touchdown in overtime against the Appalachian State Mountaineers on September 1, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

5. Miles Sanders (running back, 2016-2018)

Unfortunately for Miles Sanders, he was stuck behind one of the all-time great players in program history, so he only got to be the feature back for one season.

He made the most of that one season though, carrying the ball 220 times for 1,274 yards (5.8 yards per carry) and nine touchdowns. He also added 24 receptions for 139 yards in that season in which he was voted second team All-Big Ten.

That season warranted him to become a second round NFL Draft pick by the Eagles.

For his career, the former five-star recruit from Pittsburgh averaged 6.0 yards per carry, rushed for 12 touchdowns, and added a receiving touchdown in 2016 as a true freshman.

He also played a key role for the 2016 Big Ten Championship team, as he averaged 20.8 yards per return as the team’s primary kick returner.

We didn’t get to see a ton of Miles Sanders in a Penn State Football uniform, but when we did see him out there, he was great.

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