The kid who attempted Saquon Barkley’s reverse hurdle went as poorly as you’d think

Entering the 2018 NFL Draft, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was seen as a generational prospect with a rare combination of speed, strength and instincts. He had the power to plow through a defensive lineman and the elusiveness to slip out of a defensive back’s grasp.

Barkley’s collegiate tape was reminiscent of all-time great running back Barry Sanders, and his similarities to the Hall of Fame running back continued in the NFL. Like Sanders, Barkley was doomed to failure when the… New York Giants selected him with the No. 2 overall pick.

Luckily for Barkley, the Giants didn’t recognize his value and allowed him to cross state lines to sign with the Eagles in free agency this offseason. After years of languishing in a subpar offense, Barkley looked rejuvenated during his first season in Philadelphia.

Early in the second quarter of Philadelphia’s 28-23 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in week 9, the running back did something that no one seems to have ever seen before.

Facing a third-and-6 from Jacksonville’s 46-yard line, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw a check-down pass to Barkley. With the defenders closing in, it appeared to be a routine play that would likely result in a punt. Instead, Barkley went to work. He shot past the first defender, turned after a tackle attempt by a second defender and then – with his back turned to the defense – jumped into the air and hurdled over a third defender.

The move spread like wildfire on social media and throughout the NFL world. Immediately the backward obstacle was born. Of course, it wouldn’t be long before children across the country would try to conquer the dangerous obstacle themselves.

A recent video posted to social media by former ESPN radio host Trey Wingo showed a student athlete attempting to clear Barkley’s hurdle on a punt return.

Predictably, things didn’t go as planned.

While the punt returner successfully evaded the initial tackle attempt, his clearance over a diving tackler was uncontrolled and ended with him landing on an opponent’s head. The player immediately grabbed the kick returner, spun it around and then slammed it to the ground.

This was just one of the many ways an obstacle attempt can lead to disaster, but this is the kind of outcome most ambitious athletes can expect when attempting a backwards obstacle. Not many running backs possess Barkley’s 41-inch vertical leap, which ranks in the 96th percentile. per MockDraftable. Disaster awaits anyone who doesn’t have the explosive ability to come to an abrupt stop and immediately leap nearly four feet into the air.

When football players leave their feet, they open themselves up to a blow to their lower body. It’s a vulnerable position to be in, as minimal contact in the air can be enough to throw them off balance or hinder their landing zone.

For now, it’s probably best to leave the running back rush to Barkley, who has proven himself as one of the best running backs in the league this season.

In New York, Barkley ran behind a Giants offensive line that was ranked the second-worst unit in the league ESPN’s run-block winning percentage. With the Eagles, Barkley has found a supporting cast that is much more talented. Philadelphia’s offensive line was rated as the best run-blocking unit in the league in 2023 and the second-best unit in 2022. The Eagles rank No. 11 with a 72 percent run-block winning percentage through Week 9 of the 2024 season. While it is a dip from previous years, it has given Barkley the inch of daylight he needs.

Through eight games this season, Barkley has recorded 925 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, while adding 146 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns on 20 receptions.