In a deep backfield, what will Year 2 include for Sanders?

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- One year ago, Miles Sanders was trying to learn everything that was thrown at him as fast as possible.

From blitz pickups and understanding the playbook, to maneuvering his way around the campus of 40,000-plus, the former Woodland Hills standout found his way onto the field. Sanders' biggest impact came as the kick returner, where he fielded 33 kicks for an average of 20.8 yards per return. He also had 25 carries for 184 yards and one touchdown and added a pair of catches and a receiving touchdown.

With his second season approaching, Penn State looks for the 5-foot-11, 215-pound back to make a successful jump from Year 1 to Year 2.

What all does that leap include?

"When you're a freshman, obviously at your high school you're the man. You're probably the best player from your valley or your conference, but when you get here things change," Saquon Barkley said. "You're not the fastest, you might be the best, you might not be the best and you've got to continue to work. The gains that [ made from last year to now it's a big, huge difference."



This second year is when the game slows down and players react instead of slipping into the old coaching cliche of, "you think, you stink." For running backs especially the transition from their first year to the second comes with the expectation that they'll be better in pass protection.

James Franklin said there's arguably no bigger jump than of that from a freshman, whether true or of the redshirt variety, to that second season. The only jump that rivals it is when a player goes from being a senior to a fifth-year senior, Franklin said.

"It's everything. It's not one thing. ... Miles is a very, very talented guy, but you know it's durability, it's ball security," Franklin said when asked what areas Sanders will need to focus on this year. "Like a lot of backs not trying to make every run go for 80 yards. It's understanding how to get a dirty three yards or a dirty four yards. It's understanding the system so he's thinking less and just playing fast and using his God-given abilities. We all realize that Miles is a very talented guy and has a very, very bright future."

It's a step Barkley had to make just one year ago after the Lions were hesitant with him in protection as a freshman. It's part of the natural progression at the position and making sure all the running backs know the ins and outs of the offense and which cut to make -- plus comprehend what the defense is doing -- is what position coach Charles Huff preaches.

With a roomful of backs and so far no clear-cut pecking order behind Barkley  -- maybe expect a little more clarity soon with the Week 1 depth chart potentially available for game week -- Sanders' path to taking on a bigger role is complex.

Barkley is the guy and with Mark Allen and Andre Robinson also in there and with more experience -- and with five-star verbal pledge Ricky Slade slated to join the team next year -- running back is the deepest position on the team. It's fitting then that when I asked Franklin about Sanders in Chicago last month at media day the head coach's response included one key word: Patience.

"We're in a little bit of a different situation where we have talent and we have depth at every position and some guys are going to have to be a little bit patient and when their opportunity comes be ready," Franklin said.

Running back is certainly one of those positions and while rooming with Sanders during camp, Barkley saw a little bit of a younger version of himself in Sanders.

"From last year to this year his blitz [pickups] are so much better," Barkley said. "Last year it was like he didn't know what was going on and now he's calm and he's communicating, he's over communicating and he's stepping up and making the right plays."

Learning from Barkley -- who had plenty of time to set the standard in the room and also ample opportunities to help the other backs improve because of his limited live reps in the offseason -- is a benefit to all of these backs. Having healthy competition at the position is also a big plus.

While the non-conference schedule could shed light on how carries are divvied up behind Barkley, finding a way for Sanders to continue getting comfortable on the field -- whether that's on special teams or the occasional series when the starter taps out -- is part of what Year 2 is about.

And while Sanders works on taking his next step, there is a bright-eyed freshman behind him who will be watching his every move.

Freshman Journey Brown, a prime candidate for a redshirt unless he'd be tasked with helping the Lions in the return game right away, already made a favorable impression on Barkley.