Saquon Barkley is....

[PennStateFacts]

the next Larry Johnson. It's only been the smallest of sample sizes but he seems to be the next mold. Granted Johnson was 6'2" 220 with 4.4 speed, but Barkley has the traits of an LJ. Lynch will probably get the start early but still isn't that 'turn a 5 yard run into a 60 yard TD run' back that we need. Every team needs that type of back and we can only hope Barkley is that. Lots to look forward on offense this year, might turn out to be one of our best in recent memory.

 

[Nashville Lion]

I hope you are right. I am pumped for this young man.

 

[CentexLion]

the next Larry Johnson. It's only been the smallest of sample sizes but he seems to be the next mold. Granted Johnson was 6'2" 220 with 4.4 speed, but Barkley has the traits of an LJ. Lynch will probably get the start early but still isn't that 'turn a 5 yard run into a 60 yard TD run' back that we need. Every team needs that type of back and we can only hope Barkley is that. Lots to look forward on offense this year, might turn out to be one of our best in recent memory.

In football skills only. Watching LJ shred defenses his senior year, and have 200 by halftime and pulled was unbelievable. Slapping around and choking out women later on ....... not cool. From all of the stories that I hear about Barkely, he has already exceed LJ in the good guy non-football realm. Looking forward to seeing him play

 

[EPC FAN]

the next Larry Johnson. It's only been the smallest of sample sizes but he seems to be the next mold. Granted Johnson was 6'2" 220 with 4.4 speed, but Barkley has the traits of an LJ. Lynch will probably get the start early but still isn't that 'turn a 5 yard run into a 60 yard TD run' back that we need. Every team needs that type of back and we can only hope Barkley is that. Lots to look forward on offense this year, might turn out to be one of our best in recent memory.

Please allow Saquon to mature before putting labels on him. Believe me, nobody here wants him to succeed more than I do. He played at my alma mater. I saw all of his games. He has great potential, but is nowhere near a polished collegiate running back. R E L A X.

 

[bmw199]

Please allow Saquon to mature before putting labels on him. Believe me, nobody here wants him to succeed more than I do. He played at my alma mater. I saw all of his games. He has great potential, but is nowhere near a polished collegiate running back. R E L A X.

Sorry EPC, he is a total STUD. Franklin even just named him in the race for the starting job. I think that is a bit ambitious with how good Lynch has been but still the kid will be on the field a good bit this fall.

 

[PennStateFacts]

Please allow Saquon to mature before putting labels on him. Believe me, nobody here wants him to succeed more than I do. He played at my alma mater. I saw all of his games. He has great potential, but is nowhere near a polished collegiate running back. R E L A X.

I think the reason we're all on the bandwagon is because he's a true freshman RB who looks the part of a senior. We might be setting the bar a bit high for him with the LJ comparisons but if he can be half of what we saw with LJ in 02' then I'll be very happy and very excited.

 

[EPC FAN]

Sorry EPC, he is a total STUD. Franklin even just named him in the race for the starting job. I think that is a bit ambitious with how good Lynch has been but still the kid will be on the field a good bit this fall.

Oy vey. I'm outta here.

 

[PSUSignore]

Can we please pump the brakes on the hype train? Let the kid get some playing time before we put the weight of ridiculous expectations on his shoulders. I don't care if he's the next LJ. I just want him to be Saquon Barkley.

 

[Nashville Lion]

In today's college game....we expect more from freshman than ever....no reason he cannot contribute right away. If you look at the elite programs, they have freshman starters who are big time. Was elliott a freshman at ohio state? I don't know but it seems like this was the first year I have heard of him.

 

[bmw199]

Oy vey. I'm outta here.

Excerpt from Pennlive on practice yesterday...
"Especially if, as head coach James Franklin said following the practice, the starting running back job is indeed up for grabs and not simply already held by returning leading rusher Akeel Lynch.

"I think Nick [Scott], I think Saquon's in the conversation as well," Franklin said. "I think all of those guys are fighting right now to see who's going to be number one, who's going to be number two, and who's going to be number three. It's a really good competition right now.

"It's going to be interesting to evaluate.""

 

[PSUriseANDfire]

I never watched him in person but I think some of the plays I watched live against Parkland last year were all I really needed to see to realize the hype. The play where he broke what seemed like 20 tackles then he got called for a "personal foul leaping" penalty at the end of the play for literally jumping over(the guy wasn't even really bent over much) a Parkland defender didn't even look human.

 

[Ranger Dan]

looks the part of a senior

Barkley doesn't look the part of a senior... he just has a ton more potential than anyone we've had at that position in the last 10 years. Lynch is the guy who has paid his dues, earned his playing time, and is a solid RB. I hope Lynch can beat the young guns out, but I think either Barkley or one of the RS Fr. will take the starting job from Lynch before the season is over. If that is the case, it will be because one of the young guys was able to learn the little things (blocking, etc.) and allow their physical talent to shine. I think Lynch will start game one, however.

 

[tboyer]

I hear ya but if he is unable to read defenses and put a block on a blitzing LB or safety, he will be limited to running downs and that will limit his effectiveness.

Most important job for this offense right now isn't to score points, it isn't to rack up yards and time of possession. The most important job for the whole offense is to protect the QB.

That said, for PSU to have breakaway speed at TB (and it's not just Barkley but possibly Allen and Scott) totally changes the game when PSU has the ball. Having that speed means less pressure on Hack and more room for receivers to get open.

The best thing for PSU would be for the young backs to break off some long ones against Temple.

 

[psuro]

As far as the fans are concerned, he is the most exciting back at PSU....or at least he will be until Sanders signs his LOI, and then we will forget about Barkley.

 

[ChiTownLion]

Excited about Saquon -- and he will have his time -- but LJ broke historic B1G records and I think people are sleeping on Big Maple.

 

[Ranger Dan]

people are sleeping on Big Maple

He's more in the Tony Hunt, Evan Royster mold and doesn't have the cutting or the breakaway speed that Barkley has.

 

[tboyer]

Sorry EPC, he is a total STUD. Franklin even just named him in the race for the starting job. I think that is a bit ambitious with how good Lynch has been but still the kid will be on the field a good bit this fall.

I like Lynch but I'm not sold. I think his blocking was a little lackadaisical at times last year -- and to be fair that may have just been lack of experience and lack of confidence.

This position is a great example of how competition will make all the players better. If you don't like to put yourself in front of blitzing linebackers, the coaches will find someone who does.

Anyway, it is so exciting to see PSU recruit speed at tailback again. It's been a long, long time. I remember a game against Boston College in the 80s where PSU had their top three tailbacks hurt, and it was Shelly Hammonds (at the time slated for the secondary) who ran for 250 or 300 yards that day.The New York Times lede was something like "Joe Paterno never runs out of running backs."

 

[CappyToCJF]

Can we please pump the brakes on the hype train? Let the kid get some playing time before we put the weight of ridiculous expectations on his shoulders. I don't care if he's the next LJ. I just want him to be Saquon Barkley.

Nope.

Sorry, but this is a message board about college football and part of college football is the fan anticipation of contributions from young players due to the yearly roster turnover....

Go ahead and put ur head in the sand and let the preseason pass you by if you want, but many here enjoy talking about the potential impact of the young players and we will continue to do just that.

 

[Ranger Dan]

many here enjoy talking about the potential impact of the young players

Yes, this is why the backup QB is often the most popular player on the football team... Not in our case with the QB, but certainly true of the OL and RB... the hope of what might be is often greater than the reality of what is now.

 

[tboyer]

Excited about Robinson too. Very excited about Scott and Allen. To be strong at TB really isn't about one guy, it's about having 4 or 5 backs and maybe 3 who could be starters. That's what the big time programs have. I think Larry Johnson is the last high draft pick PSU has had at tailback, and that is 12 years ago. They used to produce first rounders every 2-3 years.

As PSU fans we don't even know what it looks like to have TB be a really strong position -- it's been a very long time since PSU recruited well at TB.

 

[lockhavenlion3]

Excited about Robinson too. Very excited about Scott and Allen. To be strong at TB really isn't about one guy, it's about having 4 or 5 backs and maybe 3 who could be starters. That's what the big time programs have. I think Larry Johnson is the last high draft pick PSU has had at tailback, and that is 12 years ago. They used to produce first rounders every 2-3 years.

As PSU fans we don't even know what it looks like to have TB be a really strong position -- it's been a very long time since PSU recruited well at TB.

lynch will start. whoever blocks best will be the 2nd guy. if one of them blocks as well as lynch, he may eventually become the top guy.

 

[krichards]

I will not relax or pump the brakes. Can't wait to see this kid, and many others, in action. Its August and we're allowed to get carried away. Its been a long time since I have been this excited about PSU football.

 

[PennStateFacts]

I will not relax or pump the brakes. Can't wait to see this kid, and many others, in action. Its August and we're allowed to get carried away. Its been a long time since I have been this excited about PSU football.

I second that ^^^^^

 

[jabba2]

LJ didnt put up #'s/break through until his Sr. season. He had confidence running only a 4th year player could have. So its a little early to be putting those expectations on Barkley.

 

[CappyToCJF]

LJ didnt put up #'s/break through until his Sr. season. He had confidence running only a 4th year player could have. So its a little early to be putting those expectations on Barkley.

But Dozier and Warner DID.....so it's not too early.........

 

[thecoolestfish]

Yes, this is why the backup QB is often the most popular player on the football team... Not in our case with the QB, but certainly true of the OL and RB... the hope of what might be is often greater than the reality of what is now.

You know things are good when you can say0q001a019

He's more in the Tony Hunt, Evan Royster mold and doesn't have the cutting or the breakaway speed that Barkley has.

You know things are good when you can say someone is 'more in the mold' of the leading rusher in school history... As if it's not a good thing. LOL

 

[Judge Smails]

Please allow Saquon to mature before putting labels on him. Believe me, nobody here wants him to succeed more than I do. He played at my alma mater. I saw all of his games. He has great potential, but is nowhere near a polished collegiate running back. R E L A X.

If a dog's gonna bite, he'll bite as a pup!

 

[AtownLion]

Please allow Saquon to mature before putting labels on him. Believe me, nobody here wants him to succeed more than I do. He played at my alma mater. I saw all of his games. He has great potential, but is nowhere near a polished collegiate running back. R E L A X.

My alma mater as well...really looking forward to seeing him play in the big time.

 

[Ranger Dan]

LOL

No disrespect intended to Tony or Evan, but there are few that would take them over any of the following: Enis, Kijana, DJ, Blair, LJ, Warner, Cappaletti, Mitchell, or Moore.

 

[LionJim]

Please allow Saquon to mature before putting labels on him. Believe me, nobody here wants him to succeed more than I do. He played at my alma mater. I saw all of his games. He has great potential, but is nowhere near a polished collegiate running back. R E L A X.

In my heart I know EPC's right, but can you remember the first time you saw Warner wear #25, for example? You knew he was special and you treasure experiences like this.

 

[HazletonLion]

Two of the most frustrating observations of PSU games over the last 10- 15 years are opponents with 8 or 9 in the box Northwestern,Indiana,Rutgers etc. And second is the PSU running backs getting caught from behind.
I believe the stable of backs we have now will set our offense more comparable to the plays Kijana,and Warner had designed for them.
Bottom line you better have a very fast and great tackling corners to compensate for the toss sweep.

 

[PSU1991]

I wonder what's up with Johnathan Thomas. Seemed to be high expectations but I rarely hear his name mentioned anymore.

 

[HazletonLion]

I wonder what's up with Johnathan Thomas. Seemed to be high expectations but I rarely hear his name mentioned anymore.

Maybe he is being considered for a Brian Milne, Tim Manoa, Franco type role on the team.

 

[jim cummings]

Is it Suh-kwon, or Say-kwon? Just curious.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Sorry EPC, he is a total STUD. Franklin even just named him in the race for the starting job. I think that is a bit ambitious with how good Lynch has been but still the kid will be on the field a good bit this fall.

Yes... he has racked up all those 250 + yard games against ????. It is great to be enthusiastic about a players potential and Shaqoun seems to be a gem. But anointing him LJ before he takes a single snap in a D1 game is a bit overboard. We all like what we see, now le's let his career unfold....

 

[CappyToCJF]

Yes... he has racked up all those 250 + yard games against ????. It is great to be enthusiastic about a players potential and Shaqoun seems to be a gem. But anointing him LJ before he takes a single snap in a D1 game is a bit overboard. We all like what we see, now le's let his career unfold....

No one here is stopping him. But as a message board frequented by enthusiastic fans many here WILL begin to compare him to the past PSU running backs.........

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Ok: He will be the perfect combination of Jim Brown and Walter Payton.

"New Kid in Town" .....syndrome. lol

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

I heard a rumor that Allen, Thomas, Scott and Lynch formed a band and this is the first cut from their new album>



Sorry...couldn't help myself!

 

[CappyToCJF]

Ok: He will be the perfect combination of Jim Brown and Walter Payton.

"New Kid in Town" .....syndrome. lol

Lol
Jim and Walter must have attended PSU before my time...zzzzz

 

[HazletonLion]

WTF are you guys talking about PSU football anyway , more scandal, Kane, Pitt, Pirate,trial,BOT,talk please. No need to speculate and get excited about the upcoming season.