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Penn State alum Saquon Barkley called NFL's top running back in new survey: Newsstand

Greg Pickelby: Greg Pickel07/08/25GregPickel
Saquon Barkley
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Penn State news, notes, and updates for July 8 include a ranking of the NFL’s top running backs, headlines of the day, and more. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler polled numerous league executives, coaches, and staffers recently to determine who the sport’s best ballcarriers are. Saquon Barkley led the way following his dazzling year en route to the Philadelphia Eagles’ latest Super Bowl title.

“It was almost like this was expected — he was always expected to be this,” an NFL personnel director told ESPN. “You can call it confirmation bias. Everybody thought he was a great player [at Penn State] and he proved what people thought he would be. It just took some peaks and valleys. And he was in a bad offense [in New York].

“He can go another few years with high-level play behind that [offensive] line.”

As Fowler notes in his story, which you can read here, Barkley did some pretty impressive things during his first season in The City of Brotherly Love.

“When including the regular season and playoffs, Barkley’s 2,504 rush yards and seven scrimmage touchdowns of 60-plus yards are the most in a season in NFL history,” Fowler writes. “His speed was constantly on display, reaching at least 20 mph on nine touchdown runs, per Next Gen Stats. No other player had more than two.”

Barkley is back with the Birds in 2026 and is one of many former Penn State players who will be suiting up across the NFL this fall.

Penn State headlines of the day

Everything to know about NCAA’s 30-day Designated Student-Athlete transfer portal: Nakos, On3

Drew Allar exclusive: How Penn State’s QB moved past CFP heartbreak: McGonigal, PennLive

Penn State QB Drew Allar details offseason steps toward a big senior year: Bauer, BWI

Which Penn State wrestlers are competing for Team USA during the World championships?: Pickel, BWI

Targets emerging for Penn State at quarterback, running back and receiver in 2027: Fitz, BWI

Quote of the day

This is the best I’ve felt in my four years here, both mentally and physically. And I think I’m moving better than I ever have before.

“Also, lifting and eating and all the necessary things that I need to do to get better – I’m doing it at the highest level that I’ve done it since I’ve been here. It’s been subtle changes over time, just trying to find different ways to gain an advantage in any way I can.”

PSU QB Drew Allar to BWI.

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