College Football: 5 favorites who could win 2017 Maxwell Award

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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 02: Running back Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrates after scoring on a 24-yard touchdown run in the first half against USC Trojans during the 2017 Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 2, 2017 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /

People are often overlooking Saquon Barkley. It’s easy to do when you look at his yards per carry numbers dipping from his freshman to sophomore year even with a better offensive line in front of him. Still, you can’t discount his 1,496 yards and 18 touchdowns on 5.5 yards per touch.

Entering his junior season, he’s getting recognition as the Big Ten’s top running back — two straight 1,000-yard seasons to start a career will do that. He’s even been labeled a ‘freak’ athlete by some major publications.

According to Sports Illustrated, Barkley is the No. 1 ‘freak’ athlete in college football and a major workout warrior. He’s dropped his 40-time to 4.33 and he can even squad 525 pounds five times. Those are incredible numbers for a 5-foot-11 back who has also added 15 pounds of pure muscle.

As long as he remains healthy, along with his offensive line, there’s a good chance Barkley will be a Heisman finalist and a frontrunner to win the Maxwell Award. With his work ethic, I’d be shocked to see his yards per carry regress yet again in 2017. Watch him account for 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns this season.

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