Eagle Eye on Nittany Lion Runners – Philadelphia Sports Nation

Should the Eagles Bargain for Saquon Barkley?

A short distance away from Penn State University in Centre County is Nittany Mountain, which separates Nittany Valley and Penns Valley.

It’s actually not a mountain — it’s more well — a ridge.

Long before Europeans settled Pennsylvania in the 17th and 18th centuries, mountain lions and cougars have roamed the area around Nittany Mountain. Endangered and hunted, mountain lions were almost completely gone from Pennsylvania in the 1880s.

But every now and again — there is a sighting of the Pennsylvania species thought to be extinct.

The Philadelphia Eagles are always on the lookout for Nittany Lions.

How could you not be from a school that produced such talent as Jack Ham, Franco Harris, and Todd Blackledge?

So it’s only fitting that the Eagles are rumored to be eying New York Giants Running Back Saquon Barkley. In college at Penn State, Barkley ran for almost 3,900 yards, had nearly 1,200 yards receiving, and over 500 yards in kickoff and returns. He was a 2-time Big Ten Running Back of the Year, six-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the week, and still holds school records for most rushing yards as a freshman and a sophomore, and the most total yards in a game.

As the #2 draftee by the New York Giants in the year 2018, Barkley was offensive rookie of the year as well as a Pro Bowler twice.

He’s not the only Eagles runner who has come from Penn State.

Saquon Barkley’s backfield companion Miles Sanders was drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. In four seasons with the Eagles, Sanders set three Eagles Franchise records and rushed for nearly 3,500 yards. He would leave the Eagles after his best season with the team and a trip to the Super Bowl.

Tony Hunt was the second all-time rusher in Penn State history before being drafted by the Eagles with the 90th pick in 2007. He was named the starter at fullback for the Eagles in the summer of 2008.

Eric McCoo still holds the single game rushing for Penn State. The running back would join the Eagles in 2004 and was member of the 2005 Super Bowl team against the Patriots.

Should the Eagles invest capital for Saquon Barkley to be the next Nittany Lion runner to join Philadelphia, whose Whitehall roots saw him play his high school and college career in Pennsylvania?

Photo Courtesy of Wiki Commons.

Every now and again a sleak moving, speedy, mountain lion is reportedly sighted in Pennsylvania’s wooded areas and elevated terrain around areas like Nittany Mountain.

Each year, The Eagles count on it.