Javon Ringer For The Heisman Trophy

Every year there are so many great players in college football. And many of them would be well deserved winners of college football's most prestigious individual award, the Heisman Trophy. Yet the whole debate usually centers around a few. This group is a selected bunch of the nation's greatest talent. And this season, you just can't forget about one guy when you're talking about the Heisman hopefuls: Michigan State's senior running back Javon Ringer, the tough little guy with a heart the size of Lake Michigan and the legs with the strengths of a hundred horses. People knew he would be good, but only few propably expected him to be that good.

Following up a strong 2007 campaign, where he already finished with 1447 yards and 6 touchdowns while splitting carries with Jehuu Caulcrick, Ringer is now the man in East Lansing and well on his way to a historic season. Through four games, in which he led his Spartans to a 3-1 record, Ringer has rushed for 699 yards and 11 touchdowns. The most impressive thing about it is his workload for a rather small back (5-9, 202), taking on every imaginable pain a running back has to endure in the trenches. Ringer knows that he has to put his team on his shoulders and that they depend on him. He already carried the ball 143 times, including over 40 times in each of the Spartans' last two victories against Florida International and Notre Dame. In those games he also cemented his part in MSU history as the first back ever to rush for 200 or more yards in two consecutive games. Impressive, ha? Well, it gets even better when you look at the kind of leadership the 21 year old possesses. After beating the Fighting Irish yesterday, the press surrounded Ringer like no defense has been able to this season. It was his moment in the spotlight, time to make the nation set their eyes on him and his formidable accomplishments. But he wouldn't have none of that as he brought out all of his offensive linemen and blockers, reminding the star hungry press circus that there's more to a football star than just his individual numbers. "They make me who I am", the humble Ringer said. "I could be the best running back in the world, if they wouldn't block for me that wouldn't mean anything. My success is their success and they do a great job. They set a lot of trust in me and I don't want to let them down. " It might not be the best slogan for a Heisman campaign. But then again, maybe it is. Ringer is the heart and soul of the Spartans, scoring 11 of MSU's 13 touchdowns, but he doesn't forget that he is still a part of a football team.
There is much more to this kid than just his numbers, his black belt in Karate or his impressive athletic talent. With Michigan State's season off to a good start and a quite managable schedule down the stretch, Ringer should have more than just darkhorse chances for the Heisman. Ultimately, we can't forget how important team success is for the the outstanding individual honor. But hey, that's obviously the last thing we need to tell Javon Ringer. From what we've learned this season, he won't let his team down. And if it takes a thousand carries...