Saquon Barkley had a 68 yard run for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans at the Nissan Stadium on Sunday night. The New York Giants led the Titans 21-20 in the fourth quarter. 

Who is Saquon Barkley?

Saquon Barkley is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). Born on February 9, 1997, he played college football at Penn State and was drafted No.2  overall by the Jets in the 1st round of the 2018 NFL Draft. 

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In his debut year, Barkley broke multiple league and team record his route to a season with 1,300+ yards of rushing. He received a Pro Bowl selection and was voted the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year. His next two seasons were beset by injuries.

The day after his collegiate team won the Fiesta Bowl on December 30, 2017, Barkley announced his desire to enter the 2018 NFL Draft. In the days before the NFL Combine, Barkley’s stock increased even further. He was predicted to be selected second overall in mock drafts at the end of February, the highest ranking for a running back since 2006. Barkley performed admirably at the combine, clocking a 4.40-second 40-yard dash and 225 pounds for 29 repetitions, which tied for the most at the running back position. The New York Giants selected Barkley with the second overall pick in the draft. Barkley committed to a four-year, $31.2 million fully guaranteed rookie deal on July 22, 2018.

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With a 68-yard sprint against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the season opener, Barkley scored his first touchdown in the NFL. The Pepsi Rookie of the Year, AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, PFWA All-Rookie Team, and AP All-Rookie teams were just few of the many honours Barkley received during and after his rookie season.

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It is uncommon for players to be named team captains after just one season on the squad, but Barkley was selected by his teammates as one of the seven captains for the 2019 season after a great rookie campaign. Due to an injury, the RB missed the majority of the 2020 campaign. The Giants exercised Barkley’s fifth-year option on April 28, 2021, which carried a guaranteed $7.217 million for the 2022 campaign.