Speed, power and agility.

All great running backs possess at least one of those qualities.

Penn State running back and Coplay native Saquon Barkley has proved that he possesses all three.

The Nittany Lions College Football Playoff hopes rest squarely on the legs and shoulders of the junior, as he will try to cement himself as the top running back in the country in 2017.

Penn State has a ton of offensive firepower returning this season, but the team will go as Barkley does. The Nittany Lions are best when he’s slicing and dicing his way through opposing defenses. One Barkley run can change a ballgame and last season one Barkley carry changed the season.

Many pundits will point to Penn State’s upset win over No. 2 Ohio State that spurred their nine-game win streak, BIG 10 Championship, and Rose Bowl berth. However, in the game prior, the Nittany Lions pulled off a comeback, overtime win over Minnesota, when Barkley took the inside handoff on the their first possession in OT, and with one cut, ended the game.

Two quarters earlier, some fans were even chanting “Fire Franklin,” but with one juke and burst, Penn State came out on top. That’s the kind of special ability that Barkley possess and the reason why many have him as a favorite to take home the Heisman Trophy this fall.

“The Heisman award is a great award obviously. It’s given to the best player in college football, and to even be mentioned in that category is an honor,” said Barkley. “When that pops up to me, I really don’t get too much of a rush on it because I’m really focused on the season and taking it day by day and focusing on the team and trying to win every single game possible.”

In his two-year Penn State career, Barkley has already put together some impressive stats. He’s rushed for just over 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns, while catching 48 balls for 563 yards and five scores. He showed his ability to make plays out of the backfield in the passing game last season, averaging 14.4 yards per reception.

Barkley’s Heisman hype has not only come from big runs and on the field play. Barkley has become just as famous from his off-the-field accomplishments in the weight room. Some media outlets have even named him the No. 1 workout “freak” in the country.

His measurables are undoubtedly impressive. Standing at 5-foot-11, 230-pounds, this summer he’s power cleaned 405 pounds, squatted 495 pounds seven times, and bench pressed 225 pounds 30 times. Add that to the fact that Barkley was hand-timed running a 4.33 in Penn State’s January testing, and what you have is a running back that can hurt you both in between the tackles with his strength and on the outside with his speed.

It was key for Barkley to add weight and strength, but to not only keep the same speed, but add it.

“I felt like I wanted to focus on getting stronger and getting faster. I think I was able to do that this offseason. Our coaching staff and our strength staff did a really good job pushing me,” said Barkley. “I gained weight this year. I’m at 230 now. I feel faster. I ran a faster 40 than I did last year. That’s something I wanted to really add to my game because I feel like, when you do the weight room, it really translates to the football field.”

Barkley has been able to accomplish a lot at Penn State in his career. It’s no secret that he’s been able to do that even without a solidified offensive line in his first two seasons.

This season however, the Nittany Lions offensive line should be one of the most improved units in the BIG 10 and some even believe they could be one of the best units in the conference. They’re much more athletic up front than in past years and with all the injuries the Nittany Lions endured last season, a lot of younger players were able to gain valuable experience.

The more experienced and talented offensive front paired with Barkley’s abilities could create the perfect storm for not only a white out, but blizzard conditions for opposing defenses this season.

At BIG 10 Media Day at the end of July, head coach James Franklin commented on what that marriage could mean.

“With the talent we’re surrounding Saquon with on the offensive line, it’s going to be tough to stop him.”

If all things go well for Barkley in 2017, it will most likely be bittersweet for Penn State faithful, as he’s most likely to take his talents to the NFL. So for all fans of the Blue and White out there, cherish what you see from No. 26 this season because players like him don’t come around very often.

Still, Barkley said he has not made a decision on when he will enter the NFL draft.

“I have not made a decision yet. I’m really just focusing on the season and focusing day-by-day,” said Barkley. “Right now my biggest focus is on camp and practice.”