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With Barkley gone, Sanders ready for his turn as featured back
Jeff Roberson
Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley warms up before the start of an NCAA college football game against Iowa Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
JOE HERMITT
Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley takes the snap during football practice, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017 in State College, Pa. (Joe Hermitt/PennLive.com via AP)
Patrick Semansky
Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley throws to a receiver in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland in College Park, Md., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Ross D. Franklin
Penn State quarterback Trace McSorley (9) warms up prior to the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
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by rich scarcella
Reading Eagle
Like most college athletes, Miles Sanders didn’t expect to stand and watch as much as he did during his first two seasons at Penn State.
Sanders, though, arrived in Happy Valley one year after one of the most dynamic players in the program’s history, Saquon Barkley, the Nittany Lions’ top rusher the last three seasons.
Though Sanders was the consensus pick as the No. 1 running back in the country in the Class of 2016, he had no choice but to embrace a backup role for the first time in his life.
“At the end of the day, I learned a lot about patience and how to be patient,” he said. “I learned that I had more patience than I thought I had. It made me way more mature and grow as a person.
“But the time’s now, and I’m ready to show the world what I can do.”
The 5-11, 207-pound Sanders will have the luxury of running behind a veteran offensive line and playing with quarterback Trace McSorley, who’s entering his third year as a starter.
“I’m very excited for the big boys,” Sanders said of the offensive linemen. “They looked good all summer. They’re probably more excited than me. We’re excited that our line will be a strong part of our offense this year.”
Penn State coaches and players are very excited about Sanders, who averaged 6.7 yards per carry (56 carries for 375 yards) the last two seasons. At Woodland Hills High School, he rushed for 4,573 yards and 59 touchdowns in his career.
Every recruiting service rated him as one of the top 50 overall players in the country in his class.
“He’s obviously a very talented guy,” Penn State coach James Franklin said. “He’s been very fortunate to have an opportunity to practice and train with and learn from Saquon Barkley.
“But now is his time. As you can imagine, he’s very hungry. He’s very hungry for the opportunity.”
Mark Allen, a fifth-year senior, probably will be the No. 2 running back when the Lions open against Appalachian State Sept. 1 at Beaver Stadium. But Journey Brown, a redshirt freshman and former PIAA sprint champion, and Ricky Slade, a freshman who was a four-star recruit, will make a push for playing time.
“I think our running backs are the most underrated part of our offense,” McSorley said, “because no one really knows what’s going to happen. We know what Miles can do. Some people have gotten to see a flash of his abilities.
“There’s a ton of talent in that room. We’re not expecting there to be a drop-off in any way for us. I’m extremely confident in what they can do.”
With Barkley about to begin his rookie season with the New York Giants, Sanders suddenly is one of the oldest running backs.
“The one thing I’ve seen from Miles that’s changed is he’s assumed a leadership role,” offensive coordinator Ricky Rahne said. “That’s been really, really good. He’s a guy who has always been a little bit in the background for obvious reasons, but I think he’s stepped out and become a leader.”
Sanders learned much from Barkley, who predicted that his former backup will surpass some of his rushing numbers.
“Saquon was always the last one (to leave) the film room and the first one on the field,” Sanders recalled. “He made the whole running backs room better. He made me better, and I made him better. We competed every day.”
Sanders committed to Penn State in July 2014, two months before his junior season at Woodland Hills. He also had offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Pitt and USC.
He said his single mother, Marlene, has been the greatest influence in his life.
“I love my mom, and I do this for her and my two brothers,” he said. “It’s just been us four. She’s the reason why I’m here. She fell in love with this place. She knew my time was coming. She always told me to stay patient and be ready.”
Sanders carries motivation from seeing limited playing time the last two seasons.
“I have a chip on my shoulder,” he said, “just from waiting for two years. I expected to play a lot more when I came here. I sat for two years behind Saquon. Now is my time to play.” o