Penn State Nittany Lions

It's Time to Put Saquon Barkley in the Heisman Discussion

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

When you hear people talk about the 2016 Heisman race, you hear names like Lamar Jackson, Deshaun Watson, and Jake Browning. The name you should be hearing, but for some reason aren’t, is Saquon Barkley.

Each week, Saturday Blitz releases a list of their Heisman Trophy Watch List for 2016. Week after week the names Lamar Jackson and Deshaun Watson headline this list as the prominent leaders for the 2016 Heisman Trophy. The name that seems to be overlooked week after week is Saquon Barkley.

After his second 200-yard game, Barkley has definitely earned the right to be in the discussion of the best players in college football. Out of all the requirements of a Heisman candidate, Barkley meets them all.

Through eight games this season, Barkley has racked up 888 yards and ten touchdowns on 147 rushes, averaging 6.0 YPC. Along with his top-20 rushing numbers, he has secured 14 receptions for 213 yards and a touchdown. These are all stats that would move anyone into the Heisman discussion.

So why isn’t Barkley being considered for the Heisman? Saturday Blitz named Donnel Pumphrey, Baker Mayfield, Jake Browning, Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson as the favorites for the 2016 Heisman Trophy winner. Each of these players are putting on some of the best college football seasons the NCAA has ever seen. From Jackson’s 16 rushing touchdowns as a quarterback to Pumphrey’s 1,469 rushing yards, all of these players are worthy of college football’s most prestigious award.

Saquon Barkley is too, though. Barkley is the strongest part of a Penn State team looking to make a run at the Big Ten Championship. As the top offensive player on a team in the midst of a breakout season, Barkley has proven his worth in college football.

The Heisman Trophy annually recognizes the outstanding college football player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. The winners of the trophy epitomize great ability combined with diligence, perseverance and hard work.

The way Penn State began the 2016 season, it took nearly a miracle to get to where they are right now. With a number of players going down, the Nittany Lions are playing wounded week after week. How they’re continuing to win is something no one seems to know. That’s where Barkley comes in.

In the biggest games of Penn State’s season, Barkley has done everything he could to win. In their first loss against Pittsburgh, Barkley ran for 85 yards and four touchdowns. Against Ohio State, Barkley was the star of the offense with 99 yards, averaging 8.3 YPC against one of the best teams in the country.

Barkley shines against adversity. Something all Heisman winners have done in the past. When you compare him to the others within the Heisman race, he’s equal to each player. Pumphrey leads the nation in rushing yards, and is on pace to easily crack the 2,000-yard mark. Pumphrey doesn’t play the teams Barkley does, though. No one ever likes to take away incredible stats by saying they don’t play great teams, but compared to the Big Ten, San Diego State doesn’t play vigorous competition.

When it comes to the rest of Saturday Blitz’ watch list, Barkley matches up well. He plays in the toughest conference in college football and leads the conference in rushing yards. Week after week, he has performances worthy of Heisman recognition, yet never seems to receive any.

With numerous 200 yard games under his belt, it’s time to give this man some credit. As Penn State continues to climb the polls, Barkley should start climbing the Heisman race.