Top 25 college football players in 2017
By Brad Weiss
Saquon Barkley
Running Back, Penn State
Just think, Rutgers could have had the best running back in the country. Before he committed to play for Penn State, Saquon Barkley was headed to New Jersey, where he would play for the Scarlet Knights. History tells us that he probably made the right decision, as the Nittany Lions are a national title contender, and Rutgers is one of the worst teams in the Big Ten.
Ever since stepping on campus in Happy Valley, Barkley has become one of the best players in college football. A freakish athlete, the junior running back was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2015, before being named First Team All-Big Ten last season. The former Mr. Football in the state of Pennsylvania, Barkley was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year last season, as he led his team to the Rose Bowl.
The Nittany Lions would lose the Rose Bowl to USC, but the season brought the Penn State football program back to prominence. Barkley has done a lot to get the program back on the right direction, and a possible College Football Playoff berth could be in the cards in 2017. He is going to rack up the yardage this season, and alongside Trace McSorley at quarterback, Penn State should repeat in a very tough Big Ten Conference.
Barkley has the talent to be a first round pick in next April’s draft, and should be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy with another stellar season. While he has not committed to returning for his senior season, he has spoke all along about leaving a legacy in Happy Valley, which he certainly has through his first two years on campus.