Penn State Receives Commitment From Top-10 Running Back

Kiandrea Barker, a 4-star prospect, joins the Lions' growing 2025 recruiting class.

Penn State running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider is on a roll. The latest bit of good news came Sunday, when the Lions received a commitment from running back Kiandrea Barker, a top-100 player nationally.

Barker announced his decision on social media.

#AGTG committed!! @coachjfranklin @CoachCBW @coachseider pic.twitter.com/QJeyIDSCqO

— Kiandrea Barker (@KiandreaBarker) April 16, 2023

Barker, a 4-star prospect according to 247Sports, will play this season at The Woodlands High in Texas after spending the past two years at Beebe (Arkansas) High. He was Arkansas' top-ranked recruit in the 2025 recruiting class after totaling 1,225 all-purpose yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore.

In an interview with Houston TV station KPRC, Barker compared his style to Saquon Barkley.

"When he was at Penn State, he was a true human joystick," Barker told the station. "I want to do big things on the field and be that type of big-time playmaker. But my real goal is to be a great teammate, build great chemistry with the talented teammates here and go try and win a state championship.”

Barker (5-11, 185 pounds) entered the 247Sports rankings as a top-10 back nationally and a top-10 player in Texas, The site ranks him 75th nationally. His offer sheet includes Florida State, Miami, Mississippi State and Missouri, among others. Penn State's challenge will retaining Barker until signing day, as his profile likely will rise.

Barker committed to Penn State after a weekend visit to the Blue-White Game and did so on Seider's birthday. The running backs coach has been on a roll.

In addition to guiding Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen to big debuts in 2022, Seider helped the Lions land two running backs in the 2023 class and add former Minnesota running back Trey Potts from the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Barker is the third player to commit to Penn State's 2025 class.

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