RB Saquon Barkley Named to Doak Walker Award Watch List

The parade of Penn State football players being named to an award watch list continues today, as sophomore running back Saquon Barkley was named to the Doak Walker Award watch list. The award, named for the former SMU star, is given annually to the nation’s best running back. Tailback Larry Johnson is the only Penn Stater to win the award, capturing it after a 2,087 yard season in 2002. Previous finalists for the award include Ki-Jana Carter and Curtis "Why did you have to take that suit, man?" Enis.

This is the second major award list for Barkley to appear on, after previously being named to the Maxwell Award watch list along with Biletnikoff Award watch list member Chris Godwin.

Barkley comes off of a freshman season where he rushed for a Penn State rookie record 1,076 yards, despite only starting six games and missing two others due to injury. He should be the primary back in coach Joe Moorhead’s offense, (although many expect freshman Miles Sanders to see a lot of playing time) so Penn Staters could see the first back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons since Evan Royster (who had three straight from 2008-10).

Congrats Saquon, and we’re looking forward to watching you tear it up against the Golden Flashes. Perhaps we’ll see more of this?