The person who has led the Philadelphia Eagles’ Tremendous Bowl run, the person who has been probably the most thrilling participant in soccer, virtually give up the game simply earlier than his profession was about to take off. That was 14 years in the past, in Japanese Pennsylvania, earlier than Saquon Barkley grew to become SAQUON! — a hulking, hurdling blur with superhero-like muscular tissues and an origin story that feels proper out of Marvel, too.
Brian Gilbert, former head coach, Whitehall (Pa.) Excessive: I don’t wish to exaggerate, however the varsity teaching workers and I actually introduced him in as a result of we’d heard after his freshman 12 months of highschool he was gonna give up soccer.
Barkley was pissed off, struggling together with his self-confidence. Some children had matured sooner than him. Sophomore 12 months, he didn’t play varsity as a result of his greatest buddy was forward of him. Saquon needed to work. That’s how he’s wired and why he’s so nice. I stated, “Pay attention, you will not be the most effective one proper now, however we see potential in you. We see how briskly you might be. You’ve obtained to present it extra time.”
He stated, “Coach, I’m so skinny. If I come up and play varsity soccer, I’m gonna get damaged in half.” We stated, “Simply get within the weight room and get stronger.” Thank God he listened!
Nick Shafnisky, former varsity Whitehall Excessive QB: He was all the time the freakiest athlete and the nicest human. However it appeared like there was all the time somebody a 12 months or two older who was a bit of bit higher. He was by no means “The Man,” as loopy as that sounds, as a result of now he’s the epitome of “The Man.”
Gilbert: He performed a bit of varsity as a sophomore (in 2012) on the finish of that season. That summer time we went to Rutgers as a staff camp. His enhancements that he made that offseason are totally different from some other athlete I’ve ever seen. He had an incredible camp. (Then-Rutgers head coach) Kyle Flood brings him and me into his workplace and provides him. He stated it was primarily based on what he noticed that day and the movie they’d watched — which was JV movie, as a result of that was all we had.
Kyle Flood, Texas OL coach and former Rutgers head coach: Norries Wilson (Rutgers’ working backs coach) did an exceptional job of figuring out him early. We thought this child was an entire stud. You can see how explosive he was.
Shafnisky: Saquon dedicated to Rutgers and he legitimately thought they supplied the fallacious man. He is aware of he’s good, however he doesn’t know he’s nice. He known as us and stated, “I feel I obtained a proposal.” I stated, “What do you imply you assume? Usually, that’s fairly clear.” He goes, “No, I feel they tousled.” So he commits as a result of he thought they have been gonna take the provide again.
Gilbert: Rutgers gave him that provide, and Saquon being Saquon says, “I must work my tail off to show that I earned that scholarship.”
Barkley formally dedicated to Rutgers months later, on Sept. 7, 2013, in his junior 12 months. The next month, he took an unofficial go to to Penn State and the Nittany Lions supplied him. After that season, Penn State head coach Invoice O’Brien resigned to change into the coach of the Houston Texas and was changed by James Franklin. Barkley flipped to Penn State in February 2014.
Charles Huff, Southern Miss head coach, former Penn State RB coach: He wasn’t even the No. 1 RB within the state of Pennsylvania after we obtained there. Andre Robinson, at Bishop McDevitt Excessive College (in Harrisburg), was. Saquon was just like the No. 2 or 3 man.
Nobody on the workers checked out his highschool movie and thought this man was gonna be a generational expertise. It was, “This man will likely be fairly good. Let’s take him, however we’ve gotta have Andre.”
Sean Spencer, Texas A&M defensive position coach, former Penn State D-line coach: I known as him. I don’t know if it was that day or a day later, however he dedicated fairly shortly. I feel he grew up a Penn State child.
Gilbert: So far as why he flipped so quick, he went as much as a White Out recreation (in 2013). I feel he was like, “Oh. My. God! That is night time and day from Rutgers to Penn State.”
Shafnisky: A million p.c. That White Out recreation modified his life.
Gilbert: Saquon is such a pleaser, and doesn’t wish to disappoint anyone. He requested me the right way to inform Rutgers. I stated, “We’re gonna name coach Wilson and inform him.” He stated, “Are you able to inform him?” I stated, “No! You’re gonna inform him. You’re gonna really feel higher, such as you’ve achieved one thing by doing this. It’s gonna be onerous, however you are able to do it.”
He was so nervous, however I feel that little step of realizing that he hates disappointing individuals however generally having to do what’s greatest to your personal good (helped). It made him develop up a bit.
Spencer: Some time later, he known as me and stated, “I simply obtained a name from Ohio State.” Identical with Notre Dame. City Meyer known as him. Brian Kelly known as him. Saquon didn’t waver. He by no means went on one other official go to. By no means went on one other unofficial go to. He requested me if he might go on 5 official visits to Penn State as a result of he didn’t wish to go to some other college. I stated the NCAA gained’t enable that.
Flood: I’d’ve cherished to have coached him, however even now once I watch him, I root for him as a result of I do know what an incredible child he’s.
After speeding for 1,506 yards and 27 touchdowns as a junior at Whitehall, Barkley scored 31 touchdowns and ran for 1,856 as a senior, averaging virtually 9 yards per carry. His scouting report on 247Sports, grading on a scale of 1-10, ranked his pace and construct as “7” and his tackle-breaking and energy as “6.”
James Franklin, Penn State head coach: To be trustworthy with you, even up till his senior 12 months, he wasn’t that extremely considered. He was an excellent participant, however nothing loopy. Then he had a dominant senior 12 months. Then he performed in some East-West All-Star Recreation and so they didn’t even begin him at tailback. He performed fullback within the recreation.
Spencer: James and I went out to see him play early his senior 12 months. He had like over 200 yards of offense and 4 touchdowns within the first half, and I used to be like, “I feel we are able to go away now.” I used to be texting the pilot. Our job right here was performed.
Huff: Spence texts me, “We’re leaving.” I stated, what do you imply you’re leaving? The sport began at 7 and it’s solely 7:38.
Franklin: I’ve a cool image from me and Spence standing on the sideline. An area photographer shot an image of us from over our shoulders with him within the background. I’ve it hanging in my basement.
Saquon Barkley defied his early profession narrative and dominated throughout his three years in Joyful Valley. (Jennifer Stewart / Getty Photos)
Barkley ended up because the nation’s No. 119 prospect, the Thirteenth-best working again within the class of 2015. He was a part of the recruiting class that helped Franklin return the Nittany Lions to nationwide prominence. It didn’t take lengthy for Barkley to indicate his new teammates that he was extra particular than anybody had realized.
Franklin: Have you ever heard the story concerning the monitor deal when he was in highschool?
Gilbert: The story is famous.
Franklin: He wouldn’t miss alternatives to do one thing particular.
Gilbert: I used to be on the district monitor meet that Whitehall hosts yearly. On the 100-meter sprint, this woman ran and completed first, however there was a mistake with the clock, so that they needed to re-do it. And once they re-did it, she got here in second. Saquon witnessed all this, so he went over and gave her his gold medal and stated, “You deserve this.” Individuals at native pubs and eating places will ask if it’s actually true. Yep, it’s.
Huff: For me realizing he was particular, it was most likely the primary day we have been in full pads in summer time camp. He ran a primary inside zone play. He hit the A-gap, then made a bounce lower all the best way again to the sting and went like 70 yards. Everybody’s going loopy. He comes proper again to me and says, “Ought to I’ve pressed it a bit of extra?”
That’s the place the legend of Saquon began.
Franklin: I keep in mind the run from the Oklahoma drill the place the three O-linemen principally blocked no one and the three D-linemen got here via and he shook ’em all. That was the welcome to Saquon Barkley second. Have you ever seen that?
All these guys, once you’re recruiting them, say they wanna play as freshmen, however their actions don’t align with that. His actions did. He was tremendous inquisitive, continuously asking gamers and coaches questions earlier than and after follow. He was that man. And on prime of that, it was the numbers he put up within the weight room. Freakish.
Nonetheless, Barkley truly didn’t make his first begin till late October of his freshman season, after proving to be inconceivable to maintain off the sector. He ran for 115 yards on simply 12 carries in his second recreation, towards Buffalo. The following week he ran for 195 yards and two touchdowns towards Rutgers.
Spencer: He will get within the recreation after we’re enjoying Buffalo. He hurdles some man, like three individuals, goes 50 or 60 yards, does a backflip — all this Saquon stuff. All my D-linemen began hugging me. Once I noticed Huff put him in, I stated, “All proper, guys. Right here we go!”
We knew from follow that this man was actually particular. I’d pause the movie and ask them, “Do you assume we might deal with him right here?’ They’d be like, “NO!”
Huff: Within the first 12 months, we stored attempting to guard him. He had unbelievable bodily instruments, however we have been aware of throwing him to the wolves too quickly as a result of we didn’t wish to scar him. After that Buffalo recreation, we have been like, “OK, we gotta play this man.” Then it was, how do I get him able to play within the Massive Ten with out throwing an excessive amount of at him?
Spencer: I went into our (place) room and went as much as the board. I wrote up the quantity 26 and circled it. (My D-linemen) requested what it was. I stated, “That is known as the Concept of 26. It means if any of you motherf—–s hit this dude in follow and damage him, you’re gonna have hell to pay. Don’t contact him. He’s like a quarterback. Go away him alone.” I didn’t need one among them big-assed dudes falling on him.
In Week 5, Penn State visited Ohio State and obtained blown out, however Barkley ran for 194 yards. The next week, he began towards Maryland. He completed the season with 1,076 yards and 7 touchdowns. As dazzling of a debut as Barkley had, he felt like he might’ve been significantly better, and that meant he had much more work to do.
Huff: After his freshman 12 months, he stated he needed to be the most effective working again ever. “What do I must do to get higher?” We went again and checked out among the lengthy runs the place he obtained run down. It occurred towards Rutgers, towards Michigan. We went again and did a sequence on successful in open area, with breaking tackles and making guys miss.
Saquon Barkley: You attempt to enhance in each facet of the sport. I watched movie of myself. I did a self-evaluation. I needed to get higher at ending the run. Break free and make one other man miss to get into the top zone. Remove that subsequent play as a result of any time it’s a must to line up once more you give the protection one other alternative. You may have a muffed snap. Something.
My freshman 12 months, I used to be explosive, however I didn’t have true pace. My 20- and 30-yard burst was actually good, however once I obtained to go 60 or 100, I didn’t actually have one other gear. I actually needed to extend my 40.
Huff: I known as our monitor coach and requested a couple of bunch of issues that offseason, like the right way to elongate your stride with out shedding your kind. I nonetheless have movies that I’ll present our working backs of a younger Saquon within the sandpit working in place for 30, 45 seconds, of him sprinting within the sandpit and turning round and sprinting full pace out of the pit.
I’m not saying I’m a working again czar. It was strictly trial and error. He was serving to me and I used to be serving to him. We began leaping rope. We did some soccer ball drills as a result of in all of athletics, who has the quickest toes? Soccer gamers and boxers. Soccer ball alternating faucets fast and so long as he might. He’d get 100 faucets in. He nonetheless does some of these things right this moment. He’ll ship me movies in the summertime, with a laughing emoji.
Barkley: We all the time talked about that Mamba mentality. Huff helped set up that mentality and that confidence in me. He positively made me work for it, however he knew my purpose and the targets that we created for one another, and he held me accountable. He pushed me each single day to be the most effective individual and participant that I could be, and I’m without end grateful for him.
Huff: He challenged me to be a greater working again coach as a result of he needed to be a greater working again. He was actually massive into the psychological recreation. We had some conferences addressing some issues: How do you exit and problem your self even when the competitors already says you’re the most effective? Then, it began to rub off into fall camp.
In 2016, Barkley ran for 1,496 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Nittany Lions went 11-3 and made it to the Rose Bowl, ending No. 7 within the nation — their greatest season in 11 years.
Huff: Going into the subsequent 12 months, I informed him, “You’ve obtained to be ready to have the largest letdown season of your life.” I stated, “Now groups usually are not gonna allow you to beat (them).” You have got to have the ability to discover success within the little issues. Perhaps you don’t rush for 200 yards and three touchdowns, however you may eradicate just a few detrimental performs, enhance your cross blocking, get higher at catching the ball popping out of the backfield. Develop the opposite elements of your recreation.
He was like, “OK, I’m good with that.”
Barkley signed with the divisional rival of the staff that drafted him and has led the Eagles’ run to the Tremendous Bowl. (Emilee Chinn / Getty Photos)
In 2017, Barkley ran for 225 fewer yards than he did in 2016 however posted extra yards from scrimmage (1,903 with 21 touchdowns) in a single fewer recreation as a result of he grew to become such a weapon within the passing recreation. Barkley grew to become the one participant in class historical past to achieve 3,000 yards speeding and 1,000 yards receiving; he additionally completed as Penn State’s all-time chief in speeding touchdowns (43) and complete touchdowns (53). The New York Giants drafted him with the second decide in 2018. He gained Offensive Rookie of the Yr and put up two spectacular seasons earlier than struggling a knee harm within the second recreation of the 2020 season.
Spencer: I used to be with him once more with the Giants (because the defensive position coach) when he obtained his (torn ACL) harm towards the Bears in 2020. He checked out me within the locker room and stated, “Why me, Coach?” We have been each about to tear up. I stated, “You’re gonna come again stronger.” It was emotional. I’ve recognized this dude since he was 17 years outdated.
Barkley recovered, however the Giants continued to sputter. Final March, Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million cope with the Eagles. Enjoying for the Giants’ division rival, Barkley tore up the NFL, going for a league-high 2,005 speeding yards — virtually 700 greater than his earlier career-best.
All of that work that began in Joyful Valley to assist not get caught? It labored. He’s had 9 runs of fifty yards or longer this 12 months. Nobody else within the NFL has greater than three. His seven landing runs of 60-plus yards are solely three fewer than the whole remainder of the league has mixed, in response to Professional Soccer Focus.
Spencer: When that child (Eagles backup working again Will Shipley) breaks that run on the finish of the playoff recreation, and also you see how excited Saquon is for him? That’s who he’s. The best way he’s now, the identical manner he was in highschool.
Gilbert: It couldn’t have occurred to a nicer man than Saquon. And that doesn’t occur in a single day. That’s upbringing, coming from good roots and from a neighborhood the place you’re anticipated to work onerous to get what you need.
Spencer: He’s nonetheless the identical man who will go to highschool video games and signal each autograph. If it’s 100 individuals, he’ll signal each one. They simply don’t make them like that any extra.
(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; Kara Durrette / Getty Photos)