STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Saquon Barkley smiled politely at the comparisons -- how he's patient like former All-American Curt Warner and eats up yards like Penn State great Larry Johnson -- because he has heard them all before.
He knows Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott called him "the truth." He's aware Michigan State defensive tackle Malik McDowell said he was better than Heisman winner Derrick Henry. He's just trying to ignore those early labels; he wants to stay humble.
"I'm honored to be compared to some great running backs, but I try to block that out and be myself," Barkley said Wednesday, his first time speaking with the media.