UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Miles Sanders was a celebrated prospect, widely regarded as the top high school running back in the nation, when he left Woodland Hills in 2016.
He enrolled at Penn State, where great things were expected from him.
And Sanders produced.
It just took a little longer than many had anticipated.
Sanders, you see, had the misfortune to be marooned behind Saquon Barkley on the Nittany Lions’ depth chart, so he got just 25 carries in the fall of 2016 and 31 during the season that followed.
Sanders finally took over as Penn State’s feature back in 2018, after Barkley moved on to the New York Giants, and netted 1,274 yards and nine touchdowns on 220 carries. He also had 24 receptions for 139 yards.
Those numbers helped to establish his credentials for the NFL draft next month. That Sanders hasn’t absorbed the beating that many backs have after three years in college only enhances his appeal.
“A lot of coaches brought that up to me [at the NFL combine],” Sanders said. “Obviously, I wanted to play a lot more my freshman and sophomore years, but the good side of it is that I had (fewer) hits on my body. Coming in fresh, ready to roll.”
Several months ago, Sanders was predicted to be selected on the final day of the draft. A strong showing at the combine and workout performances that suggest he’s been underrated as a pass-catcher now make it more likely that he will be chosen in the second or third round.
Affirming his receiving talents was Sanders’ priority when he worked out at Penn State’s pro day Tuesday, and he seemed to do that.
“The goal was really just to catch the ball smoothly,” Sanders said. “Do a lot of slot stuff, catching out of the backfield. Showing teams and running back coaches that I have the hands to do it.”
Sanders had a year of college eligibility remaining when he decided to turn pro “a couple of days” after the Nittany Lions’ loss to Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1.
“I was talking to my mom and my mentor, really, just weighing out things that were going to help me declare,” he said. “Just finding out what was best for me.”
Although Sanders has an invitation to spend the draft in Nashville, where it will be held April 25-27, he doesn’t expect to accept it.
“I’ll probably be in Pittsburgh,” he said. “I’m more of a homebody.”
Sanders added that he has neither an idea of, nor a preference for, which club will claim his rights in the draft.
“You never really can predict what happens on draft day,” he said. “I met with every coach at the combine, so there’s a good chance I could end up anywhere.
“I’ll be blessed to go wherever I can. Wherever I end up, they’re going to get somebody who’s going to produce.”
He did that last season at Penn State, and believes the players poised to inherit his position there – particularly sophomore Ricky Slade and Meadville’s Journey Brown – can do likewise.
“Ricky looks good and Journey looks real good,” he said. “They know what they’re doing.”
Sanders said he can empathize with what Slade went through last fall, as he entered school as a five-star prospect but had only 45 carries.
“I just told him to ‘be patient, and take advantage of every opportunity you get. When you touch that field, make them know why you should be playing,’” Sanders said.
And, perhaps, to be grateful for the physical punishment he hasn’t been taking.
Dave Molinari: Dmolinari@Post-Gazette.com and Twitter @MolinariPG
First Published: March 20, 2019, 2:02 p.m.
