Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1518105
OPENING SHOT IRON LION NFL scouts descended on State College for Penn State's Pro Day, with all 32 teams on hand March 15 at Holuba Hall to watch the Nittany Lions' next batch of professional football aspi- rants showcase their athletic potential. One Penn Stater who didn't have to worry about whether the NFL liked his skill set was Saquon Barkley. The program's second-leading rusher with 3,843 career yards, Barkley was the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2018 and went on to earn Offensive Rookie of the Year honors after a debut season in which he totaled 2,028 all-purpose yards. Barkley returned to State College to check out Pro Day, and while on campus he squeezed in a workout of his own in the team's refurbished weight room. It was the end of a tumultuous week for the former Penn State All-American. Just four days earlier, he had signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles after spending his first six seasons with the New York Giants. His move to an NFC East rival irked some Giants partisans who hated the idea of their team having to defend him twice a year. But in Philadelphia, Barkley's addition was greeted with excitement. In addition to being a dangerous all-purpose offensive threat, he's a Pennsylvania native who played his high school football at Whitehall High before mov- ing on to Penn State. Penn State coach James Franklin said Bark- ley's return to his home state is advantageous not just for the Eagles but for his alma mater. Franklin encourages former players to return to campus as often as possible. When they're based in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, where for- mer Nittany Lions Joey Porter Jr. and Pat Frei- ermuth currently play, that trip is easy to make. "We like our lettermen and our former play- ers, especially the ones who are in the NFL, to try to get back as much as they can to campus to have an influence over our current roster, to be supportive and be on the sideline for games," Franklin said. "Obviously, [Barkley's] schedule, like most NFL players, is crazy and hectic, but [playing in Pennsylvania] helps. "You look at the guys that we've got in San Francisco, and it's just not easy for them to get back here. When you're right down the road in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, that helps. That helps with them being around this fan base and around our team. And they are beloved. I love the fact that they can come and have influence." — Matt Herb PHOTO MARK SELDERS/PENN STATE ATHLETICS