PSU star Barkley picked 2nd overall
Saquon Barkley is going from Happy Valley to the Big Apple, with the New York Giants deciding they’d be the team to take perhaps the best overall player in the 2018 NFL draft rather than the best quarterback available.
The Giants made Penn State’s star running back the No. 2 pick in Thursday night’s draft, bypassing the likes of Josh Allen, Josh Rosen and Sam Darnold — all quarterbacks considered worthy of building a franchise around — to take the Big Ten Conference offensive player of the year. One pick earlier, the Cleveland Browns made Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield the top selection in this year’s draft.
Barkley is the highestdrafted running back since Southern California’s Reggie Bush also went second overall, to the New Orleans Saints in 2006.
“Saquon is who we wanted,” Giants general manager Dave Gettleman told local media after the choice. “I was thrilled that he was there.”
“Blessed to be a member of the @Giants! Thank you for believing in me,” Barkley tweeted Thursday night. “You won’t be disappointed. I’m ready to work!”
Barkley was viewed by many as the top talent in this draft class, but given the importance of the quarterback position and how many languishing organizations are in need of fresh hope under center, it wasn’t clear where Penn State’s all-time rushing touchdowns leader would land.
But New York could be an intriguing spot for Barkley, who was born in the Bronx before moving to Bethlehem, Pa., and attending Whitehall High School. The Giants now boast the 6-foot, 235-pound ball of speed, power and agility in the backfield, in addition to Odell Beckham and Sterling Shepard at wide receiver. They’ll still need a long-term — and maybe short-term — plan to replace Eli Manning, but that will have to wait for another pick.
“As a young player, we’re gonna expect [Barkley] to come in and we’re gonna treat him like a rookie … but we really believe if he’s the best he can be, he’s gonna be a huge addition to our team,” coach Pat Shurmur said.
The last Penn State player to be selected in the first round was defensive end Jared Odrick in 2010, who went 28th to the Miami Dolphins. Barkley is the highest-drafted Nittany Lion since defensive stars Courtney Brown and LaVar Arrington went 1-2 in the 2000 draft. You might also remember running back KiJana Carter going first overall to the Cincinnati Bengals in 1995, but the Giants hope Barkley will have a much better pro career than the injuryplagued, unproductive Carter.
“I can’t compare him to anybody, because he’s got the feet, the ability to make multiple moves, and the acceleration and speed of a small back,” Gettleman said. “And, he’s got the power of a big back.”
There was a chance that Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki or Pitt offensive lineman Brian O’Neill might have their names called on the first day of the draft, but neither ended up being a firstrounder. They might not have to wait too long to hear from a team Friday night, if not in the second round then almost certainly in the third.
In other local news, the Baltimore Ravens drafted former Pirates prospect Hayden Hurst, a tight end, with the 25th overall pick. The Pirates selected Hurst, now 24, in the 17th round of the 2012 draft. He spent parts of two seasons with the Gulf Coast League Pirates. Drafted as a pitcher, he developed the yips, tried moving to first base and eventually left baseball altogether. He walked on to to the South Carolina football team, where he thrived, catching 100 passes for 1,281 yards over three seasons. Now, he will get another chance in professional sports — just a different one than he initially imagined.