Saquon Barkley has already solidified himself as a Penn State legend. Now, he has a chance to make history on the sport’s biggest stage. On Sunday, the Philadelphia Eagles running back will take the field in Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs.
If he delivers another dominant performance, he could become the first Penn State player to win Super Bowl MVP honors in 50 years, joining the iconic RB Franco Harris.
Saquon Barkley’s Chance To Make History in Super Bowl LIX
After setting a franchise record with 2,005 rushing yards in the regular season, Barkley has been somehow even better in the playoffs. Over three games, he has racked up 442 rushing yards, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. This dominance has put him in a prime position to lead the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory.
If Barkley wins the game’s MVP honors, he will end Penn State’s long drought—the fourth longest among colleges with at least one Super Bowl MVP winner. The last time a Nittany Lion won the honor was in 1975 when Harris helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win Super Bowl IX.
Additionally, Barkley would be the first running back to earn the award since Terrell Davis did so in 1998 and just the eighth RB in history to do so.
Penn State’s presence in the Super Bowl is nothing new. The program has been represented in all but five Super Bowls since 1967. Nearly 50 former Nittany Lions have combined for 66 Super Bowl rings.
Penn State ranks fourth all-time in Super Bowl player appearances with 120, behind only Michigan, Miami, and USC. However, no Nittany Lion has had a chance to dominate the game like Barkley does now.
James Franklin’s High Praise for Barkley
Penn State head coach James Franklin has closely followed Barkley’s NFL journey. Speaking with Big Ten Network about Penn State’s 2025 recruiting class, Franklin took a moment to recognize Barkley’s historic season.
“Based on what he’s been doing all year long, we’re proud of him,” Franklin said. “For him to be doing it back in the state of Pennsylvania, where he grew up, is special. People are going crazy about it between Penn State fans and Eagles fans; it has been good to see. We expected him to have a big year, and he has been dominant. I think he should be MVP of the NFL.”
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While Barkley didn’t win the league’s MVP, an award that was awarded this season to Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen and hasn’t gone to a non-QB since RB Adrian Peterson did in 2012, the Eagles back did secure the season’s Offensive Player of the Year Award.
Franklin also praised Barkley’s selflessness. He recalled a playoff moment where Barkley could have scored another long touchdown but instead slid down to secure the win. That decision, Franklin said, showed the type of player and leader Barkley is.
Now, Barkley has a chance to cement his legacy even further. With a strong performance on Sunday, he could become one of the greatest Nittany Lions to ever play in the “Big Game,” standing alongside NFL and Penn State great Franco Harris.
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