With the second pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected Penn State running back Saquon Barkley. Here are 10 things to know about the newest member of the team:
1. Barkley finished his career as Penn State's all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (43), total touchdowns (53) and all-purpose yards (5,538).
2. In his final collegiate season in 2017, Barkley was the recipient of the Paul Hornung Award as college football's most versatile player, the same award Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. won in 2013 at LSU. Barkley also finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
3. Barkley had nine games with 200-plus all-purpose yards in his career (four in 2016, five in 2017), and set the school record with a touchdown scored in 15 consecutive games.
4. He became the only player in Penn State history and just the fourth Big Ten player to gain 3,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in a career. Barkley ended his career as the lone Nittany Lion with a rush and reception of 80-plus yards in a career. He finished his career No. 2 on Penn State's career rushing yards list (3,843), trailing only Evan Royster (3,932; 2007-10). He joined Royster as the only two rushers in Penn State history with three 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
5. At the NFL Scouting Combine, the 6-foot, 233-pound running back did more reps historically than Joe Thomas in the bench press (29), ran the 40-yard dash faster than Beckham (4.40 seconds), and jumped higher than Julio Jones and Beckham (41.0 inches).
6. NFL.com scouting report: Every-down running back with the ability to alter the course of an offense and become a face of the franchise-type player. Barkley has the rare ability to create additional yardage through elusiveness, speed, vision and feel for space in the open field. While he has been tasked with carrying a heavy load at Penn State, their decision to limit his carries somewhat this season could help Barkley headed into his rookie season. Barkley is a buffet runner who thrives with the more plates you give him and he has a chance to become an early All-Pro no matter which team takes him.
7. Strengths: Compact frame carries muscular, powerful trunk. High tempo runner with urgent underpinnings as his core. Offensive lineman's best friend with talent to dismiss penetration with deft footwork. Runs with optimal pad level. Elite wiggle triggered by fluid hips. Knee bend and quick-twitch powers sudden stops paired with aggressive jump cuts and spin moves to leave tacklers hanging. Can alter the course of the run whenever he wants. Presses line of scrimmage to give himself ample time to make his reads. Vision is solid. Keeps eyes darting when navigating interior running lanes. Exploits voided cutback lanes. Lateral burst and agility are top-notch. Has plant-and-go burst to rocket around the corner when needed. Good feel for managing distance between himself and defenders once he finds an opening. Feet are in constant motion and he rarely gears down to change direction in open field. Capable pass catcher. Effective separator in his routes. Beats up linebackers on wheel routes. Very tough and very competitive. Added two kick returns for touchdowns this year and will do what he must to help his team win. Football character and personal character are impeccable.
8. Barkley is the fifth player in Big Ten history to win the Chicago Tribune Silver Football as the conference's best player twice since the award's inception in 1924. He joined the group of Minnesota's Paul Giel (1952-53), Ohio State's Archie Griffin (1973-74), Indiana's Anthony Thompson (1988-89) and Ohio State's Braxton Miller (2012-13) as two-time Silver Football winners.
9. Born February 9, 1997 in the Bronx, he is the son of Alibay Barkley and Tonya Johnson. He has two brothers, Rashard Johnson and Ali Barkley, and two sisters, Shaquona and Aliyah Barkley. His father participated in boxing in college, and his great-uncle is former WBC champion Iran Barkley.
10. Barkley was a three-year letterman and team captain his senior year at Whitehall High School (Pa.) for head coach Brian Gilbert. He was named first-team All-State (AAAA) by Pennsylvania Football News and was selected as the 2014 Mr. PA Football for Class AAA/AAAA.
