The New York Giants made the decision back in April to take former Penn State standout running back Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick in this year's draft.
It hasn't taken long for him to make a strong impression on his new teammates with his play and physical ability on display in the practice field in offseason workouts. However, veteran defensive tackle Damon Harrison wants to test the rookie tailback in training camp to see he can handle the physicality that comes with playing in the NFL, according to Howie Kussoy of the New York Post.
“The guy can play, man … [but] I’m excited to get out there in training camp so I can hit his ass and see what’s he made of,” Harrison said Tuesday.
There is no ill intent with Harrison's statement, but rather that he wants to see how the rookie handles the uptick in physical nature that comes with playing in the NFL. It is a completely different feel than the collegiate game where some of the players he is playing possess the talent to play at the next level, unlike the league where each defensive player has the ability to bring it on every down.
Barkley has shown that he has the unique skill set to potentially become a superstar at his position for the next decade with his ability to impact the game as both a runner and receiver out of the backfield. The physical nature of the NFL game will bring forth another challenge for him to overcome.
This early test that Harrison and the rest of the Giants defense will provide should give him a slight feeling of what to expect in his first campaign. If anything, this should help better prepare him for what should be a highly-anticipated rookie year where he could quickly breakthrough as one of the top young talents at his position.
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