The hype is already building for Saquon Barkley in 2017.

Kirk Herbstreit already called the Penn State junior-to-be the top returning tailback in all of college football. Pro Football Focus agreed with that sentiment.

PFF named Barkley one of its early Heisman Trophy candidates for 2017. Not only was Barkley the top running back listed — he came in at No. 5 overall — but he was also the top non-quarterback ranked by PFF.

Here’s what PFF had to say about Barkley’s Heisman possibilities:

“The other electric player on the field at the Rose Bowl, Barkley did his best to show off his talent to the nation as he’s been one of the best big-play running backs the last two years. He led all running backs with an elusive rating of 126.7 as a true freshman in 2015 and while that number dropped in 2016 with a higher volume effort, he still managed to force 72 missed tackles as a runner to tie for fourth nationally. Penn State is primed to contend nationally after winning the Big Ten in 2016, and Barkley is a dynamic talent capable of leading the way for the Nittany Lion offense.”

Barkley, who was the only B1G player listed, was the conference’s offensive player of the year in 2016 after leading Penn State to an improbable Rose Bowl berth. That was thanks to nearly 1,500 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in 2016.

John Cappelletti was the first and only Penn State player to win the Heisman back in 1973. Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith was the last B1G player to win the award back in in 2006.

As long as Barkley stays healthy, it’s safe to say his Heisman buzz won’t fade anytime soon.