Saquon Barkley, in starring turn, surprising no one at Penn State

The images of Saquon Barkley have been indelible. Taking flight with the Philadelphia Eagles this season, the former Penn State running back has run, bruised, and jumped his way into the thick of the conversation as one of the NFL’s very best players.

Most recently coming out of a record-setting performance in the Eagles’ 37-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night, that production has naturally captured intense interest. At Penn State, head coach James Franklin can be counted among those rooting for the former Nittany Lion’s success, even in the thick of his program’s run toward a first College Football Playoff berth this year.

“I don’t follow it closely. It’s not like I’ve watched an Eagles game. But I’ve seen highlights. We’ve texted. I know he and Fumi have texted. I am not surprised. I’m proud and happy,” Franklin told reporters on Wednesday evening. “And it’s also cool that he’s doing here. I mean, it’d be cool if he was doing it on the west coast, but it’s it’s even cooler he’s doing it right here in his backyard. 

“There’s a huge crossover contingent of Penn State fans and Eagles fans, which is cool. I’m just happy for him, and the Eagles organization. It’s a win-win for everybody, which is really ultimately what you want.”

Saquon Barkley excels as a Philadelphia Eagle

Most recently, that took shape as a career-best performance and one of the all-time best in the NFL. Against the Rams, Barkley took 26 carries for 255 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. And, as a receiver he tallied four receptions for 47 yards with a long catch of 31 yards.

Together, the performance represents the ninth-highest rushing total in a single game in NFL history and the best-ever for the Philadelphia Eagles. The NFL record for a single game rushing total is 296 yards for Minnesota Vikings in a November 2007 game against the San Diego Chargers.

Barkley was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the performance.

LINK: Penn State makes injury re-arrangements ahead of season finale

For the season, Barkley has put together the best numbers of his career. His 1,392 yards are better already than his Rookie of the Year campaign in 2018 with the new York Giants, and is just one touchdown shy of his 11 rushing scores he had in his debut.

A career stymied by inconsistency with the Giants, though, Barkley’s career has taken on new life with the Eagles. Running behind an accomplished and long-established offensive line, with a franchise that has repeatedly produced winning at a high level, Barkley has shined.

“It’s an example of, he’s at a really good place, really well-run organization. Arguably the best O-line coach in the NFL behind arguably one of the best offensive line,” said Franklin. “And we all knew. We all knew that given the opportunity and put in a favorable situation, he’d have a chance to maximize it.”

Next steps for Barkley

Adding to the quickly growing love for Barkley, Franklin said, Barkley’s persona has only increased his standing.

“I think the other thing with him that the Eagles are learning, and I’ve talked to them about is, as good of a player he is, he’s just as good if not a better teammate. And that’s unusual,” said Franklin. “So to have that type of guy in your locker room and that type of leader and that type of presence on your team, it’s a force multiplier in a lot of ways. So I’m not surprised.”

Barkley and the Eagles return to action on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. when they face the Baltimore Ravens.

---

Talk about it with our premium subscribers in the Lions Den, here!