Saquon Barkley New York Giants
(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley has won the 2018 Pepsi Rookie of the Year award for his sensational debut season in the NFL.

The phenomenal rookie season for New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley continues.

On Thursday, the NFL and Pepsi confirmed that Barkley has won the 2018 Pepsi Rookie of the Year award. Barkley will be presented the award Saturday night at the yearly NFL Honors award show.

Barkley beat out Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield for the award.

Mayfield broke the NFL record for single-season touchdown passes by a rookie. He threw 27 for the Browns this past season. However, looking at Barkley’s stats, it’s clear just why he won this award.

Barkley rushed for 1,307 yards and 11 touchdowns in his inaugural NFL season. The 2018 No. 2 overall selection also had 91 receptions for 721 yards and four touchdowns through the air.

His 2,028 yards from scrimmage made him the third rookie running back in NFL history to surpass the 2000-scrimmage yard mark.

The former Penn State standout’s 91 receptions this year also broke a rookie running back record. The record was previously held by former NFL running back Reggie Bush, who caught 88 balls during his rookie season in 2006.

Barkley’s number of receptions also tied a rookie record for most single-season catches in Giants history. Big Blue receiver Odell Beckham Jr. previously caught 91 passes during his rookie year in 2014.

This isn’t the only accolade Barkley has received for his sensational debut season in the pros. The Pro Football Writers of America selected Saquon as their Offensive Rookie of the Year earlier this month.

Barkley also played in his first career Pro Bowl last Sunday in Orlando, FL.

The 21-year-old was well deserving of the Rookie of the Year award. Although he can only win this specific award once, here’s to many more awards and accolades for the Giants running back in the future.

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Ryan Honey is a staff writer and host of the Wide Right Podcast.