Hebstreit Names Barkley His Breakout Star, PSU Student Section No. 1

It’s no secret ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit has a secret affinity for Penn State’s passion for football — namely its elite student section that routinely finds itself ranked among the nation’s best. Earlier this summer, Herbstreit offered his endorsement for Penn State’s student section via Twitter. He again ranked the student section as the best in the land, but the Nittany Lion praise didn’t stop there.

Herbstreit, as part of his annual “Herbie” award series, named star running back Saquon Barkley as his breakout star of 2016, placing the sophomore ahead of Washington’s Myles Gaskin, Ohio State’s Sam Hubbard, Florida State’s Derwin James, and Boise State’s Brett Rypien.

Herbstreit’s endorsement of Barkley comes as one of many, as the running back’s recieved his fair share of praise and preseason accolade’s since the conclusion of his freshman season. It’s worth noting that this isn’t some B-list group of players Barkley was voted ahead of. Seminole defensive back/edge rusher James has the potential to be one of the most dominant defenders in the country, following in the footsteps of Jacksonville Jaguars rookie and 2015 consensus All-American Jalen Ramsey.

On the student section side of things, Herbstreit voted Penn State’s iconic section — specifically the White Out version — over the student sections of LSU, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, and Baylor.

Sure, he might’ve been a Buckeye, but Penn State loves you back, Herbie.