Barry Sanders Saquon Barkley
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Legendary Hall of Fame RB Emmitt Smith says New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley reminds him of Barry Sanders

New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley continues receiving praise after his remarkable rookie season.

Last week, Ryan Dunleavy and Matt Lombardo of NJ.com sat down with Hall of Fame RB Emmitt Smith. A topic of conversation popped up when Smith took Barkley aside at the Pro Bowl in January.

Smith had nothing but praise for the young Barkley.

“He has a hell of a future in the NFL,” Smith said. “I’m just proud to see what kind of humbleness he has. The ability to reach out and talk the wisdom, to try to understand some of the things that people such as myself and guys that have been there were able to do, I appreciate that out of a young player.”

The Giants made the right selection when they picked Barkley with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Barkley piled up 1,307 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns this past year. He also caught 91 passes for 721 yards and four scores through the air.

His 2,028 yards from scrimmage led the NFL and his 91 receptions broke a rookie running back record. The previous record was set by former RB Reggie Bush when he had 88 receptions in 2006.

This paved the way for Barkley to win the Pepsi Rookie of the Year, the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, and the FedEx Ground Player of the Year. Barkley also made his first-career Pro Bowl.

Smith also noted that Barkley reminds him of another legendary Hall of Fame back.

“If there was one that I’d say he reminds me of,” Smith said, “it might be Barry Sanders.”

Barkley has a very bright future in the pros. This past rookie year was only the beginning for the Pro Bowl back.

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