Before tying the mark for the most reps on the bench press (29) among all running backs at the NFL Combine, Saquon Barkley of Penn State met with reporters Thursday in Indianapolis. After measuring in at 6-foot-0 and 233 pounds, here's what Barkley had to say.
**Video courtesy of Kevin Noon of Rivals.com
On what makes him an appealing prospect for NFL teams...
"Some of my strengths: I think that I’m a versatile player. I think I show on film that I can run the ball. I can run in between the tackles, outside tackles, catch the ball out of the backfield. I can pass block, can even play some special teams. That’s something that I try to continue to grow on with my game and continue to be a complete player."
On his famous 79-yard TD run in the Rose Bowl one year ago...
"The Rose Bowl game was amazing. The Rose Bowl did a great job with both teams. The whole week was fantastic, an awesome time. That run was a special run especially because of the significance of the game and the history behind the Rose Bowl. That run is definitely one of my favorite runs that I’ve ever had, but obviously it (doesn't) really matter because at the end of the day we don’t win that game, so it would’ve been more special if we had come out with a W."
On if he has a preference to which team he wants to join
"Any team that wants to draft me, that’s blessing me with an opportunity to play for their franchise is a blessing me. You grow up as a little kid playing in the NFL and you have the opportunity if a team is going to pick you. So if it's the Browns or the Giants or (wherever) I get drafted, I'm going to come in with my head low and ready to roll."
On the possibility of playing for and helping improve the Cleveland Browns...
"That’s awesome. It’s something bigger than you. If you go to a team like that, –obviously, they’ve had some rough years – but I think they’re just a couple of pieces away. They do have a lot of young talent. They’ve brought in a new offensive coordinator. They only won one game (the past two seasons), but they were in a lot of games. You want to be a part of something like that. Something that’s bigger than yourself. Something that will leave a legacy, being a part of something special."
On comparing himself to other running backs at the NFL Combine...
"I don't really look too much into that. Something I believe in and something that I learned at Penn State: You have to control what you can control. At the end of the day, if you focus on that stuff, you take away form yourself. I'm just focused on coming out there and trying to dominate this Combine and get to know the guys. ... push the guys I'm working out with and trying to get better."
On weighing in at 233 pounds at the NFL Combine...
"I played around 230 last year. I ranged anywhere from 228 from 232. You’re in here for two days, sitting around, eating a lot of food and meeting with a lot of teams and not really moving, so I guess you can say I weighed a little heavier than I usually do. I weighed in at 232.6, when I looked down. That’s something I feel comfortable playing at and feel comfortable running."
On his running style...
"I try to be a very versatile player. I’m very confident in myself. I feel like I can run the ball (whether) it’s on the 99-yard line or the 1-yard line and I can find a way to get into the end zone. I can do it all. I feel like can go over top of you, I can beat you with speed, I can beat you with some wiggle (or) I can run through with you. That's something that I continue to try to improve on every single day, too. Back at Penn State, Coach (Charles) Huff challenges us to have a tool belt. He challenges us to try to develop your tool belt. That's why I watch film from a lot of great backs, like the Bells, the Gurleys and the Elliots and try to take part of their game and add it to mine."
On the possibility of playing for the New York Giants...
"With the Giants picking at No. 2, if I was fortunate enough to go to a team like that, if I had the success that I had in college football and God blessed me with the success in the NFL, I think that’ll be a good fit also. Any team in my mind would be a good fit; any team that would pick me, in my mind, would be a good fit. But if you look at that team, last year they were in a lot of games, too. They had a lot of injuries, but you have guys like Odell, the tight end Sterling Shepherd, a quarterback who is established and who has proven himself and has two Super Bowl rings. If I was fortunate enough to go to a team like that and have the success that I had in college football, I think that’ll also be a really good fit."
