Penn State Nittany Lions

Saquon Barkley Adds Associated Press All-American to his List of Awards

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

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Penn State running back Saquon Barkley continues to rack up the honors for the 2016 season. 

Saquon Barkley has quickly built himself a very impressive collegiate career. After a successful freshman campaign last year, Barkley followed it up with a strong season this year. His list of awards for this season got even longer on Monday when he was named an Associated Press All-American.

The talented sophomore earned a spot on the third team.

He put up 1,302 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. He also added 23 receptions for 347 yards and three touchdowns. He’s second in the Big Ten Conference and 32nd in FBS with an average of 128 all-purpose yards per game.

Already a second team Sporting News All-American, Barkley is the first Penn State running back to be an All-American since Larry Johnson in 2002. He’s the first Penn State offensive player to earn such honors since wide receiver Allen Robinson and offensive lineman John Urschel in 2013.

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Along with the All-American honors, Barkley is the 2016 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and the Big Ten Running Back of the Year. He was also a unanimous first team All-Big Ten selection.

Barkley is one of the most exciting players in the nation. He has the ability to take what looks like a short-yard gain and turn it into a big play. He possesses a unique ability to both run between the tackles and make guys miss in open space. Spinning, juking, and jumping over defenders has become his signature.

With at least one more year left in Happy Valley, Barkley should enter 2017 as one of the top running backs in the nation.

Barkley and his Nittany Lion teammates will take the field next on January 2 against USC in the Rose Bowl.

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