Saquon Barkley didn't participate in Penn State's Pro Day but the star running back took a moment to reflect on a combine performance that wowed teams across the league.
He doesn't think it was good enough.
Barkley told NFL Network's Kimberly Jones on Tuesday he could've done better as he makes his case as the best player in this year's NFL Draft class.
"A lot of people think I did really well at the combine and I can't complain about the numbers that I put up at the combine but they weren't my best," said Barkley, who put on a dominating showing in Indianapolis. "I really truly believe I could've done better but the combine is the combine and I wanted to go out there and do the best that I can and represent my school."
Barkley, who didn't participate on-field workouts in State College because there wasn't anybody present to conduct running back drills, instead spent the afternoon supporting teammates and fellow draft prospects such as tight end Mike Gesicki and wide receiver DaeShawn Hamilton. And with the draft roughly five weeks away, Barkley said he's eager for the next step in the pre-draft process.
"I'm just excited to get to the next level and play football," he told Jones. "I'm done running with a shirt off. "I'm ready to put pads on."
Barkley — whom NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah ranked as his No. 1 prospect — has been regarded by Jeremiah and other analysts as a game-changing player who could help the Browns, owners of the first and fourth overall picks, shape their offensive identity.
Barkley finished his final season at Penn State with 1,271 rushing yards, 632 receiving yards and 21 total touchdowns. He told Jones he doesn't care when he's drafted, but offered prospective teams an idea of what kind of player they'll get if they do.
"You're going to get a guy that's going to come and going to work. That's how I got here and that's all I know," he said.
"I can't promise you Rookie of the Year, I can't promise you 2,000 yards but I can promise you you're going to get a leader, I'm a competitor and I'm passionate about the game and the rest will take care of itself."
