Saquon Barkley to have high school jersey retired this fall
Giants star running back Saquon Barkley has achieved some impressive accomplishments already in his young football career, and in a few weeks he is will be honored for some of his earliest feats on the gridiron.
The Whitehall-Coplay School District and the Whitehall High School athletic department recently announced that Barkley's No. 21 jersey will be retired at halftime of a game at Zephyr Stadium on Sep. 10.
In his senior year at Whitehall back in 2014, Barkley rushed for 1,851 yards and 24 touchdowns on his way to being voted the winner of the Mr. Pennsylvania Football Award for Classes 3A and 4A . He finished his high school career with 3,642 yards on 455 carries, good for an average of 8.0 yards per attempt, to go with 50 rushing scores.
Barkley also had 39 receptions for 568 yards and eight receiving scores, and added one interception return for a TD, one punt return TD, and one kickoff return TD.
He will become the third NFL player to graduate from Whitehall and have his high school jersey retired, joining Matt Millen and Dan Koppen.
"The opportunity to honor Saquon for outstanding accomplishments throughout his Zephyr football career is something we have been anxious to do," said Bob Hartman, Whitehall's athletic director. "Saquon's career through high school, college and the NFL has been on the same path as Matt and Danny. We are looking forward to an amazing night hosting Saquon, his family, friends and coaches."
As we know, Barkley would go on to play at Penn State, where he had an illustrious three-year career with the Nittany Lions. He racked up numerous awards and honors while at Penn State, including Consensus All-American (2017), the Paul Hornung Award (2017), and twice being named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (2016, 2017), just to name a few.
The Giants then selected the running back with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Barkley would go on to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award that season after finishing the year with over 2,000 total yards and 15 touchdowns. He would once again top the 1,000-yard rushing mark in 2019, becoming the first player in franchise history to rush for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons.
Pro Football Focus takeaways vs. Browns
Following two days of joint practices in Cleveland, the Giants took on the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday afternoon in Week 2 of the preseason schedule.
Many Giants starters did not play in this contest, allowing for some of the team's younger players to get some extended action. Despite the 17-13 loss, several players put up strong performances in the team's second preseason game.
Here are some Pro Football Focus takeaways from Giants vs. Browns.
Let's start on defense. Quincy Wilson played 33 defensive snaps on Sunday, including 24 in coverage. He finished the game with the Giants' only interception and led the defense with an 81.7 overall grade. Wilson's 79.5 coverage grade was also the highest on the team.
Oshane Ximines was on the field for 29 snaps at outside linebacker and showed a glimpse of why the organization has been excited for his return following last year's injury. Ximines had five total pressures against the Browns, including one sack, two quarterback hits and two hurries. His 80.2 overall grade was second on the defense behind Wilson, while he led the unit with an elite 86.7 pass rush grade.
Two other young members of the Giants' secondary earned PFF's praise- Julian Love (73.1 overall grade, 83.2 tackling grade on 24 snaps) and Xavier McKinney (70.8 overall grade, 79.5 tackling grade on 10 snaps).
On the offensive side of the ball, undrafted rookie center Brett Heggie earned the highest grade with an 82.8 overall grade on 11 snaps. Heggie performed well in both areas of the offense, receiving a 76.5 pass block grade and 78.2 run block grade.
Running back Devontae Booker was next up with a 77.1 overall grade on 16 snaps, including a 75.1 run grade. Booker rushed the ball six times for 27 yards (4.5 yards per carry) and a touchdown while adding two receptions for another 13 yards.
Several offensive linemen enjoyed solid days, including center Jonotthan Harrison (70.7 overall grade, 75.8 run blocking grade on 63 snaps), right tackle Chad Slade (68.8 overall grade, 69.7 run block grade on 56 snaps), and left guard Kenny Wiggins (80.9 pass blocking grade on 59 snaps).
EVERY photo from Giants vs. Browns
The Giants wrapped up their time in Cleveland on Sunday, falling to the Browns 17-13.
Check out the gallery below to view EVERY photo of Giants vs. Browns in the second week of the preseason, starting with the flight to Cleveland, to arriving at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, to pregame warmups all the way through the final whistle of the game.
Check out the best photos from the Giants' preseason contest against the Cleveland Browns.
Rysen John (44)
Gary Brightwell (37)
Rysen John (44)
Raymond Johnson III (91), Willie Henry (90), David Moa (96)
Devante Downs (52)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Trent Harris (93)
Dante Pettis (13)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Gary Brightwell (37)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Riley Dixon (9)
Dante Pettis (13)
Dante Pettis (13)
Riley Dixon (9)
Riley Dixon (9)
Riley Dixon (9)
Trent Harris (93)
Riley Dixon (9)
Riley Dixon (9)
Niko Lalos (57), Devante Downs (52),
David Sills V (84)
David Sills V (84)
David Moa (96), Raymond Johnson III (91)
Head Coach Joe Judge
David Sills V (84)
Matt Cole (83)
Niko Lalos (57), Damion Willis (87)
Niko Lalos (57)
Riley Dixon (9)
Ted Larsen (69), Jackson Barton (72)
Matt Cole (83)
Chad Slade (62), Brett Heggie (61)
Corey Clement (30)
Corey Clement (30)
Niko Lalos (57)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Cam Brown (47)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Brian Lewerke (6), Corey Clement (30)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44), Devontae Booker (28), Mike Glennon (2)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Trent Harris (93)
Devante Downs (52), Oshane Ximines (53)
Carter Coughlin (49)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Jake Burton (70), Ted Larsen (69),
Madre Harper (45), Rodarius Williams (25)
Elijah Qualls (94), Oshane Ximines (53)
Ryan Anderson (46)
B.J. Hill (95)
Jake Burton (70), Ted Larsen (69), Jonotthan Harrison (64), Kenny Wiggins (79), Jackson Barton (72)
Elijhaa Penny (39)
Elijhaa Penny (39), Kenny Wiggins (79)
Jake Burton (70), Ted Larsen (69), Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Jonotthan Harrison (64), Kenny Wiggins (79), Ted Larsen (69)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
Madre Harper (45)
Niko Lalos (57)
Dante Pettis (13)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
Alex Bachman (15)
B.J. Hill (95), Carter Coughlin (49)
David Moa (96)
Elijhaa Penny (39), Saquon Barkley (26),
Madre Harper (45)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Devontae Booker (28), Elijhaa Penny (39)
Madre Harper (45)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Chad Slade (62)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Devontae Booker (28), Saquon Barkley (26)
Chad Slade (62)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Devontae Booker (28)
Mike Glennon (2)
Devontae Booker (28)
Quincy Wilson (28)
Brian Lewerke (6), Gary Brightwell (37)
Mike Glennon (2), Devontae Booker (28)
Leonard Williams (99), Quincy Wilson (28)
Julian Love (20)
David Sills V (84)
Devontae Booker (28), Mike Glennon (2)
Reggie Ragland (55), Julian Love (20)
David Sills V (84)
David Sills V (84), Jackson Barton (72)
Baker Mayfield (6), Daniel Jones (8)
Nick Gates (65), Johnny Stanton (40)
Jedrick Wills Jr. (71), Xavier McKinney (29), Mack Wilson (51)
Rodarius Williams (25), A.J. Green (38), Madre Harper (45)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Rodarius Williams (25), A.J. Green (38), Madre Harper (45)
Rodarius Williams (25), A.J. Green (38), Madre Harper (45)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon scrambles during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants running back Devontae Booker runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants defensive end Ifeadi Odenigbo (44) runs off of the line of scrimmage during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants tight end Nakia Griffin-Stewart (47) runs up the field during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants quarterback Brian Lewerke (6) drops back to hand off the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants quarterback Brian Lewerke (6) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge watches as his team plays during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants running back Gary Brightwell (37) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants linebacker Oshane Ximines (53) runs towards the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants defensive end Raymond Johnson III (91) rushes during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants Ted Larsen, left, congratulates quarterback Brian Lewerke after an 8-yard pass to David Sills during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge watches during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Cleveland Browns tight end Jordan Franks (87) cannot hold onto the ball under pressure from New York Giants linebacker Devante Downs (52) during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants quarterback Brain Lewerke hands the ball off during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon (2) throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants defensive tackle David Moa (96) celebrates after a sack during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants wide receiver C.J. Board (18) rushes against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants fullback Eli Penny (32) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
New York Giants quarterback Mike Glennon throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
New York Giants Quincy Wilson runs after an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Aug. 22, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Casey Kreiter (58), Kaden Smith (82), Julian Love (20)
Madre Harper (45)
Reggie Ragland (55)
Leonard Williams (99)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Saquon Barkley (26), Darius Slayton (86)
Dexter Lawrence (97), B.J. Hill (95)
Austin Johnson (98)
Chad Slade (62)
Cam Brown (47)
Jake Hausmann (49)
Logan Ryan (23)
Chad Slade (62)
Darnay Holmes (30)
Chad Slade (62)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Carson Tinker (46)
Carson Tinker (46)
Carson Tinker (46)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Jonotthan Harrison (64)
Mike Glennon (2)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Brian Lewerke (6)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Sterling Shepard (3), Kyle Rudolph (80)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Sterling Shepard (3), Kyle Rudolph (80)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Evan Engram (88)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Darius Slayton (86)
Daniel Jones (8)
Matt Peart (74), Andrew Thomas (78)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Daniel Jones (8)
Julian Love (20)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Jabrill Peppers (21)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Cullen Gillaspia (36)
Devontae Booker (28)
Matt Peart (74)
Sandro Platzgummer (34)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Graham Gano (5)
Chad Slade (62)
Darnay Holmes (30), Logan Ryan (23)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darnay Holmes (30), Logan Ryan (23)
Darnay Holmes (30), Logan Ryan (23)
Darnay Holmes (30), Logan Ryan (23)
Logan Ryan (23)
Logan Ryan (23)
Matt Cole (83)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Evan Engram (88)
Evan Engram (88)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Kyle Rudolph (80)
Evan Engram (88)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Darius Slayton (86)
Daniel Jones (8)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Corey Clement (30)
Saquon Barkley (26)
Carter Coughlin (49)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Julian Love (20)
Brett Heggie (61)
Corey Clement (30)
Austin Mack (81)
Jackson Barton (72)
Matt Peart (74)
Alex Bachman (15)
Casey Kreiter (58)
David Sills V (84)
Ifeadi Odenigbo (44)
Ryan Santoso (2)
Daniel Jones (8)
Nick Gates (65), Will Hernandez (71)
Azeez Ojulari (51)
Quincy Wilson (28)
Adoree' Jackson (22)
B.J. Hill (95), Cam Brown (47), Saquon Barkley (26)
Brett Heggie (61)
Andrew Thomas (78)
Sam Beal (34)
James Bradberry (24)
Sam Beal (34)
Kadarius Toney (89)
Niko Lalos (57), Shane Lemieux (66)
Niko Lalos (57)
Logan Ryan (23)
Chad Slade (62), Riley Dixon (9)
Rodarius Williams (25)
Logan Ryan (23)
Xavier McKinney (29)
Nakia Griffin-Stewart (47), Logan Ryan (23)
Carson Tinker (46)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Corey Clement (30)
Lorenzo Carter (59)
Dexter Lawrence (97)
Tae Crowder (48)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Oshane Ximines (53)
Austin Johnson (98)
Leonard Williams (99)
Devante Downs (52)
Raymond Johnson III (91)
Sterling Shepard (3)
Blake Martinez (54)
Evan Engram (88)
Cullen Gillaspia (36)
Kenny Golladay (19)
Danny Shelton (75)
Daniel Jones (8)
Kenny Golladay (19), Sterling Shepard (3), Jason Garrett
Kenny Golladay (19)
Single Game Tickets
A limited number of Giants 2021 single game tickets are on sale now
