Saquon Barkley has been one of the most electrifying running backs of his generation. From his jaw-dropping runs to his ability to turn any play into a highlight, he has been a game-changer since the moment he stepped onto a football field.
But before he was a household name in the NFL, Barkley was a college football sensation. His time at Penn State turned him into a top NFL Draft prospect who was drafted second overall, and his performances in the Big Ten were must-watch television.
Let’s take a look back at his college career, year by year, and see how he became one of the most dynamic running backs in football.
Freshman Year (2015): A Star Is Born
Barkley arrived at Penn State in 2015 as a highly recruited four-star prospect from Whitehall, Penn. While expectations were high, few could have predicted just how quickly he would take over the Nittany Lions’ backfield.
As a freshman, Barkley rushed for 1,076 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging an impressive 5.9 yards per carry. He showcased a rare blend of speed, power, and vision, making him one of the most exciting young players in college football.
Even in a loaded Big Ten conference, Barkley stood out. His breakout performance came against Ohio State, where he gashed the Buckeyes’ defense for 194 yards, proving he could compete with the best in the country. By the end of his freshman year, it was clear that Barkley wasn’t just Penn State’s running back of the future, he was already one of the best in the nation.
Sophomore Year (2016): Dominating the Big Ten
If Barkley’s freshman season put him on the map, his sophomore year turned him into a superstar. In 2016, he took his game to another level, rushing for 1,496 yards and 18 touchdowns while adding 402 receiving yards and four more TDs through the air.
His ability to impact the game in multiple ways made him one of the most dangerous weapons in college football. Defenses struggled to contain him, and he was a key reason why Penn State won the Big Ten championship that season.
One of his most memorable performances came in the conference title game against Wisconsin. Barkley ran for 83 yards, scored two touchdowns, and made a crucial 18-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter that helped Penn State secure a 38-31 victory.
By the end of the season, Barkley had earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors, and his NFL stock was rising fast.
Junior Year (2017): A Heisman Contender
Barkley’s junior season was his final year at Penn State, and he made sure to leave a lasting impact. He started the year with a bang, racking up 358 all-purpose yards against Iowa, including a career-high 211 rushing yards.
Throughout the 2017 season, Barkley continued to dominate, finishing with 1,271 rushing yards, 632 receiving yards, and 21 total touchdowns. He was a true all-purpose threat, scoring on the ground, through the air, and even on special teams with two kickoff return touchdowns.
His versatility made him a Heisman Trophy contender, and while he finished fourth in the voting, there was no doubt that he was one of the best players in the country. He capped off his college career with a 92-yard touchdown run in the Fiesta Bowl, leading Penn State to a 35-28 win over Washington.
By the time he declared for the 2018 NFL Draft, Barkley had solidified himself as one of the most complete running back prospects in years and one of the greatest players in Penn State football program history.
