Saquon Barkley is one of four finalists for the Paul Hornung Award, presented to the nation’s most versatile player, the Louisville Sports Commission announced Thursday morning.
The Penn State running back joins Washington’s Dante Pettis, NC State’s Nyheim Hines and Iowa State’s Joel Lanning as finalists.
Despite being kept in-check the past couple of weeks, Barkley is deserving of the recognition. The Heisman Trophy contender ranks second nationally in all-purpose yards per game (195.67) and has tallied 14 touchdowns (nine rushing, three receiving, two returning) through nine games.
Earlier this season, Barkley became the first-ever Nittany Lion and fourth Big Ten player to total 3,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a career.