EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley (26) jogs onto the field during a Big Ten conference college football game between Michigan State and Penn State on November 4, 2017, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI.(Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
While all of the Heisman finalists deserved to be finalists, many people thought there should have been one more name added to the list, and that name is Saquon Barkley.
Barkley was a top player in college football this season, and he showed that time and time again with runs that made fans wonder how that was even possible.
Look no further than the articles (videos included) below to figure that one out:
Video Proof That Penn State RB Saquon Barkley Is A Serious Heisman Contender
Penn State RB Saquon Barkley Makes Scoring TDs Look Too Easy With This 53-Yard Run
Watch: Penn State RB Saquon Barkley Takes 69-Yard Run To The House Against Michigan
Watch: Penn State’s Saquon Barkley Scores On Opening Kickoff Against Ohio State
Needless to say, Barkley had plenty of highlights during the 2017 college football season, and he arguably should have been named a Heisman finalist. While many people were outraged by this news, Barkley took the classy route.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcTlQqYAk4T/
On the season, Barkley has managed to rack up 1,134 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, 594 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns.
All of that aside, Barkley is one of the top prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Via si.com:
2. San Francisco 49ers: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
Barkley’s had a rough go the last couple weeks, but he’s still the best pure prospect in the class. The question will be how the teams drafting high value running backs.
He was the most versatile player in college football this season, and he has the talent to be a star at the next level.
The 2017 Paul Hornung Award goes to Penn State's @saquonb21, the most versatile player in College Football! Congratulations, Saquon!!#WeAre pic.twitter.com/MdEA15xcB8
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) December 6, 2017
The 2017 #B1GFootball Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year: @saquonb21!
Barkley is the first running back to be a two-time B1G Offensive Player of the Year. 👏#WeAre pic.twitter.com/HkkOc3eD7D
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) November 30, 2017
Here’s what Barkley and his coach, James Franklin, had to say about Barkley winning the Paul Hornung Award (via collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com):
“It is an honor to win an award like the Paul Hornung Award for the most versatile player in college football,” Barkley said in a statement. “I am so appreciative of Mr. Hornung and the Louisville Sports Commission for selecting me for this very special honor. I have to give a lot of the credit to my teammates and coaches, they are the reason that I am in position to win this award and I could not have done it without them. I also want to thank our amazing fans at Penn State. We Are!”
“I am thrilled for Saquon to join this elite list of Paul Hornung Award winners,” said Barkley’s head coach, James Franklin. “I couldn’t be more proud of Saquon and everything he has accomplished at Penn State. In my 22 years of coaching, I have never coached or seen a player who can affect the game the way Saquon Barkley does. The Hornung Award is not only honoring the most versatile player in college football, but is also recognizing one of the best people in college football.”
While Barkley will not win the Heisman this year, he was still one of the best players in the sport, and he will more than likely go very high in the NFL draft — well, when he decides to declare, that is, because he is only a junior.
Barkley and the rest of the Nittany Lions will take on the Washington Huskies in the Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 30.
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