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A look at Penn State Football’s success with in-state RBs

By Alec Whitaker

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 01: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes past Gaelin Elmore #87 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers for the game winning touchdown in the first overtime period at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2016 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 01: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes past Gaelin Elmore #87 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers for the game winning touchdown in the first overtime period at Beaver Stadium on October 1, 2016 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/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) /

Miles Sanders (2016-2018)

The other running back Robinson was stuck behind was 2016 signee Miles Sanders from Pittsburgh.

Penn State landed Sanders’ commitment on July 19, 2014. The Nittany Lions battled for almost two years to keep Sanders committed as the likes of Pitt and Michigan State continued to recruit him hard.

Penn State succeed in signing Sanders, and he finished the 2016 cycle as the No. 1 running back in the nation. He became the first 5-star recruit to sign with James Franklin at Penn State.

Sanders’ first two years on campus were a bit of a struggle, considering he had Barkley in front of him. Sanders got his opportunities though, receiving 25 carries in 2016, which resulted in 184 yards and a touchdown. As a sophomore in 2017, Sanders rushed for 191 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries.

Sanders finally got his opportunity to start in 2018, with Barkley moving on to the NFL.

That was a break-out season for Sanders as he rushed for 1,274 yards and nine touchdowns on 220 carries. He earned Second Team All-Big Ten for his efforts that year.

Sanders decided to opt for the 2019 NFL Draft and forgo his senior season. He was selected in the second round by the Philadelphia Eagles.

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