Saquon Barkley Squat: The Secret of an Electrifying NFL Runner

Introduction to the Squat and Saquon Barkley

What’s the big deal about the Saquon Barkley squat?

Because squats power his sensational performances on the field, Saquon is one of the most exciting NFL running backs in generations.

Just watch Saquon Barkley turn on the jets to elude, evade, break tackles and take off like a rocket.

As a result, you will understand why the NY Giants got such a fantastic draft pick.

To see Saquon weave a magical path of explosive speed, watch these Top 10 plays below.

Even those with no interest in football love his eye-popping highlights because he takes off like a jet down the field, leaving the defenders speechless.

For example, I showed my cousin the top 10 highlights below, and she loved watching.

The NFL just got one more fan.

Therefore, you have to see the results of the squat for Saquon Barkley to believe it yourself:

Top Saquon Barkley Collegiate Highlights from Penn State University (PSU)

Wikipedia makes no mention of weight lifting being a primary force for change in Saquon’s athletic career, and in his life.

Most importantly, to clarify, this is not only about weightlifting, but this is also about the most challenging, hardest compound lifts.

For instance, squats, deadlifts, bench press, and power cleans.

But, while Wikipedia completely missed out on the big story of how changing your body can change your life, you will not!

Perspective from His High School Coach

Saquon’s hometown is the Bronx, New York City, where he was born.

Alibay Barkley, his dad, subsequently moved the family to Whitehall, Pennsylvania.

After that, Barkley started to mature as an athlete at Whitehall High School under the guidance of coach Gilbert.

Coach Brian Gilbert relates that Saquon was talented.

But, he was only 160 pounds when he was a sophomore.

“After his sophomore season, I challenged Barkley to become a leader in the weight room.

And he accepted.

During his offseason going into his junior year, Saquon would say, ‘Who wants to do another workout?’

And he just kept doing workouts after workouts.

His confidence level went up because of his strength,” Gilbert said. Men’s Journal

Saquon’s dedication in the Whitehall and Penn State Weight rooms is legendary, and after one year of weight training, he put on 30 pounds and had a breakout junior year.

How Much Does Saquon Barkley Squat?

Check out this Saquon Barkley squat video!

Watch with your own eyes as number 26 does squats of 525 pounds for five reps without wearing knee sleeves:

As if Saquon’s power clean wasn’t impressive, here he is squatting 525 for five reps this morning pic.twitter.com/fa3nYA6joi

— Chance Sorrell #58 (@Chanman158811) June 30, 2017

Can Saquon Barkley Squat 650 lbs?

Saquon Barkley could probably squat 650 pounds as well, but Saquon is a football player, not a powerlifter.

But, the truth is that number 26 is a football player who can easily compete in powerlifting.

See what Saquon says himself about his max squat in this hilarious clip from the Dan Patrick Show:

Saquon Barkley Squat Max and Bench Press Record Guessing Game

Saquon Barkley Power Clean

And here is Saquon doing a power clean of 405 pounds, no powerlifting belt, no knee wraps or gloves:

What Weight Lifting Means to Barkley

Is the connection between the squat and naming Saquon Barkley NFL Offensive Player of the year a coincidence?

Did he dominate in college football because of sheer luck?

Then, listen to Saquon Barkley’s own words:

“I’m a firm believer that the work you put in in the weight room translates to the field,” Barkley said.

“Some people don’t think it correlates.

A lot of people think you have to do football-specific stuff and that’s true.

But I think football is a direct correlation with weightlifting.

I think the stuff that you do — the explosive movements, the leg strength — helps you finish plays and enables you to break tackles.”

Saquon’s phenomenal ability to run a 40-yard dash in 4.3 seconds is not just because of DNA.

It is because he focused on building his quads, legs, posterior chain in the weight room.

Saquon Barkley Highlights | Every Touchdown From His Rookie Year

This video, published by the New York Giants, features all of Barkley’s touchdowns from his impressive rookie season:

Change Your Body – Change Your Life

This phrase, change your body – change your life, is not just a cute little saying.

You can see for yourself the real results of squats in Saquon Barkley’s life.

Of course, Saquon indeed started life with talent and genetics.

But, they are not what got him to where he is today.

Instead, it is because of hard work in the weight room, building strength, and adding 70 pounds of power.

For example, full-body exercises like squats, deadlifts, bench press, power clean, tire pushes, farmer walks, and medicine ball throws, and good clean real food.

This is the type of diet and training that helped Barkley fulfill his potential.

Barkley, the NFL’s number 2 draft pick, signed a guaranteed $31.2 million contract with the New York Giants on July 22, 2018.

Saquon Barkley and his girlfriend, Anna Congdon with their daughter Jada Clare:

View this post on Instagram

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

A post shared by Anna Congdon (@annacongdon) on October 3, 2018, at 9:12 am PDT

Saquon Barkley Stats: A Journey of Resilience

2018 – Rookie Year of Glory

Saquon Barkley burst onto the NFL scene, delivering one of the most impressive rookie seasons in history.

His efforts earned him the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award and a Pro Bowl selection.

Here are his standout stats:

Rushing

Played all 16 games for the New York Giants.
261 rushing attempts, averaging 5.0 yards per carry.
Totaled 1,307 rushing yards with no fumbles.
Scored 11 touchdowns, including 5 of 50+ yards—the most by a rookie since Randy Moss in 1998.
Converted 50 first downs, with a season-long rush of 78 yards.

Receiving

Caught 91 passes for 721 yards, averaging 7.9 yards per reception.
Achieved 30 first downs, with a season-long 57-yard reception.
Scored 4 receiving touchdowns.

Barkley’s combination of rushing and receiving prowess made him one of the most versatile and electrifying players in the league.

2019 – The Setback

Barkley’s sophomore season began with high expectations, but a high ankle sprain suffered on September 22, 2019, during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, changed everything.

The following day, September 23, 2019, Giants Head Coach Pat Shurmur confirmed the severity of the injury, stating it would sideline Barkley for multiple weeks.

Here is a video of the tackle that turned 2019 into a big disappointment for Saquon and the Giants:

Despite returning to action after missing three games, Barkley’s performance was visibly impacted as he struggled to regain his explosive form.

He finished the season with:

1,003 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns.
438 receiving yards and 2 receiving touchdowns.

The injury not only marked a significant dip from his rookie brilliance but also tested Barkley’s resilience.

Adding to the disappointment, Barkley recorded one of the worst performances of his young career in a 34–27 home loss to the New York Jets later that season.

This setback served as a turning point in Barkley’s career, introducing challenges he would continue to battle in the following years.

2020 – A Season Lost to Injury

Barkley faced another devastating blow in Week 2 of the 2020 season, tearing his ACL in a game against the Chicago Bears.

This sidelined him for the entire season and raised questions about his long-term durability.

2021-2022 – Rebuilding Strength and Confidence

2021: Barkley returned to the Giants’ lineup but struggled with consistency, totaling 856 scrimmage yards and 4 touchdowns.
2022: A rejuvenated Barkley silenced critics by delivering 1,312 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, and 338 receiving yards.
- His explosive runs reminded fans of his rookie-year dominance and earned him another Pro Bowl selection.

2023 – Resurgence in Philadelphia

Barkley’s move to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2023 has been a career-defining chapter.

With a strong supporting cast, Barkley has rediscovered his peak form, leading the Eagles to success with his dual-threat ability as a rusher and receiver.

His performances have surpassed several personal milestones, making him a key piece of the Eagles’ offensive dominance.

Barkley’s dedication and hard work has paid off.

Fast forward to 2024, and Barkley has re-emerged as one of the NFL’s most dominant players with the Philadelphia Eagles.

His incredible performances this season have silenced doubts about his ability to return to elite form.

Barkley’s 2024 highlights include career-best numbers in rushing and receiving yards, and he has become a centerpiece of the Eagles’ offensive success.

For a deeper dive into how Barkley is powering the Eagles to new heights, check out this article:

Saquon Barkley’s Career Day Powers Philadelphia Eagles to Seventh Straight Win

Barkley’s struggles and victories only highlight the positive impact of weight training like squats, deadlifts, and cleans on his success.

And you can use this secret to your advantage.

The Takeaway

Success leaves clues.

If you are a teen in high school or a young man in college, are you hitting the free weights?

Whether you are an athlete or not, getting stronger in the big compound lifts can explode your strength.

And what if you are over 50?

Do you think that squats and deadlifts will not transform your physique like Saquon Barkley’s?

The good news is that if you work on the big three lifts, you set yourself up for success in any area of your life.

If you do not have an effective squat workout, you can use this great beginner squat workout.

The squat changed Saquon Barkley’s life.

This will inspire you to get in your own squat workout today.

Saquon Barkley Squat: Secrets of an Electrifying NFL Runner