Saquon Barkley's Heisman Trophy campaign is officially off and running
On a day in which Americans will choose their leader four the next for years, Penn State had a message for voters.
Heisman Trophy voters, that is.
The Lions officially came up with a campaign of their own. “Saquon Barkley for Heisman.”
Nittany Nation's ultimate running mate this #ElectionDay! #VoteSaquon #HeismanHouse pic.twitter.com/Wy2zDJxHmr
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) November 8, 2016
The Lions picked the right time to market their superstar tailback. Barkley is coming off his third 200-yard performance in his last four games. He now ranks fourth among Power Five running backs in rushing yards.
A year removed from setting the PSU record for freshman rushing yards, Barkley looks every bit like an All-America candidate at the very least. The question is whether or not he has enough time left to boost his candidacy to earn an invite to New York.
The current odds are strongly in favor of Lamar Jackson, of course, but Barkley is the face of one of college football’s surprise teams. He might not be present on voters’ minds like a Jabrill Peppers, but a couple more 200-yard games and he could certainly be in the conversation.
Fox Sports’ Stewart Mandel already put Barkley as his No. 5 Heisman candidate. Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman called Barkley “the most underrated running back in the country.”
If Barkley’s Heisman campaign gets some momentum, nobody will be claiming the sophomore is underrated.