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College Football Week 3: NFL Draft big board rankings

By Nathaniel Reeves

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans scrambles with the football during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 09: Sam Darnold #14 of the USC Trojans scrambles with the football during the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 9, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 09: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in action against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Beaver Stadium on September 9, 2017 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 09: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in action against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Beaver Stadium on September 9, 2017 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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Saquon Barkley

RB, Penn State

While it was far from his most productive performance, Barkley continued to showcase his strong all-around game in Penn State’s win over rival Pittsburgh, and remains the top running back prospect on the big board.

Following an explosive showing in the opener, Barkley rushed 14 times for 88 yards and a score while adding a receiving touchdown on four catches. Barkley now has 359 yards and four touchdowns for the season, and is even getting involved on special teams as a kick returner.

Barkley exceeded expectations as the No. 14 running back recruit in the class of 2015 almost instantly and rushed for over 1,000 yards as a true freshman after winning the starting job by week two. With an improved team around him, Barkley keyed Penn State’s Rose Bowl run in 2016 with nearly 1,900 yards from scrimmage and 22 touchdowns, and could not be stopped in the epic back-and-forth Granddaddy of Them All against USC.

Nobody can stop Barkley once he gets to the second level, and his patience and vision behind the line of scrimmage will remind many of Le’Veon Bell. There are few holes in Barkley’s game at this point, as he’s effective as a pass catcher out of the backfield, is a beast in the weight room at 5-11, 233 pounds, and is even developed in pass protection for a collegiate player.

Barkley will look to continue his Heisman-worthy campaign on Saturday against Georgia State.

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