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College Football: 15 best running backs in 2016

By Brad Weiss

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 28: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs though the tackle of Darien Harris #45 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 28, 2015 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 28: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs though the tackle of Darien Harris #45 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 28, 2015 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

During his high school career at Whitehall (PA) High School, Saquon Barkley was a dominant runner. His senior year, Barkley was named Mr. Football in Pennsylvania, after rushing for 1,856 yards and 31 touchdowns. After initially signing with Rutgers, Barkley stayed in his home state and made an immediate impact as a freshman.

After gaining one yard on one carry in his first collegiate game, the true freshman burst onto the scene in his second appearance. Barkley rushed for 115 yards during his second game, and never looked back. Despite missing two games in October due to injury, Barkley broke the Penn State freshman record for rushing yards, racking up 1,076 in only six starts.

In total, Barkley had five 100-yard games, including an 194-yard effort against top-ranked Ohio State.

Barkley was named a Freshman All-American by USA Today, while earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors. His 5.9 yards per carry were good for fourth-best in the conference, and he is already 40th on Penn State’s all-time rushing list.

Coming into the 2016 season, Barkley is on the watch list for the Doak Walker and Maxwell Awards.  The Nittany Lions lost quarterback Christian Hackenberg to the NFL, so expect a heavier workload from the sophomore in year two.

Penn State opens up their 2016 slate at home in Beaver Stadium against Kent State on September 3.

Next: 14. Jeremy McNichols, Boise State University

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