Heisman Watch 2017: Week 4

NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 16: Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks to throw against the Tulane Green Wave at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma defeated Tulane 56-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/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) /

4. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

When Penn State Nittany Lions running back Saquon Barkley has been given the rock this season, he’s made things happen. In Week 3, the explosive back was only given 14 touches in a rout of Georgia State, but he still made work of it. Yes, he only had 47 yards rushing on 10 carries. But he more than made up for that as he caught four balls for 142 yards, including an 85-yard reception that he took to the house.

For the season now, Barkley has 38 carries for 307 yards and three touchdowns (8.1 yards per carry). Meanwhile, he’s also been more dangerous as a receiver than he was a year ago as he’s hauled in 11 catches for 241 yards and an additional two touchdowns. As stated, Barkley has put in work with his touches, but the issue is that he just hasn’t gotten that many. Penn State has rolled in all three of their games, thus limiting Barkley’s overall workload as he hasn’t been needed.

Because of that, he’s not in the top three of the Heisman Watch just yet. He’s going to need to keep this up when he gets more work, something that he’s more than capable of doing. What’s more, he should finally get a hefty workload in Week 3 as he and the Nittany Lions go on the road for a tough matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes. If he delivers, Barkley could vault up in these rankings next week.

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