Ringer Up

Michigan State running back, Javon Ringer rushed for 198 total yards in the Spartans win against Indiana. He was only two yards shy of earning his third straight 200 yard game.  Last week, the Spartans beat arch rival Michigan at the Big House 35-21.  Ringer had two touchdowns and rushed for 197 yards on 37 carries.  The Sparty’s are now 7-2 and are tied with several teams (4-1) sitting on top of the Big Ten Conference, and the 5”9, Senior, running back is a HUGE reason why.

The air around East Lansing is palpable every Saturday when the Spartans have a game. Everyone around town knows the name Javon Ringer like he is part of their family. After this season, the Big Ten and the rest of the nation will be accustomed to hearing the name Ringer on Saturdays, and maybe even Sundays in the future.

Ringer currently has 1373 yards and 16 total touchdowns, leading all NCAA Division I football players so far in both categories.  Oh yea, he also leads the nation in attempts (300 carries) and overall all purpose yards (1717), and is second in yards per game with 152.6 average.  Does this put him on Heisman watch? At only 5″9 and 202 lbs, he has a dark horse chance at becoming the shortest Heisman trophy winner.  He already has his own website tracking his stats and talking about his potential awards this season, http://www.ringer23.com/.

After beating Notre Dame in East Lansing 23-7, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg heard Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi compliment Ringer at a news conference, “I’ll put my vote in for Javon Ringer for the Heisman Trophy. That needs to start getting picked up a little bit because that guy’s a machine.” Narduzzi wasn’t the only Spartan to plead Ringer’s case for Heisman. QB Brian Hoyer said, “He’s the best back in the country. I go and look on ESPN.com and they’ve got the Heisman hopefuls or whatever. Javon Ringer should be in there.”

Despite all the Heisman hype, he is almost single handedly helping the Green and White win games.  This is not only evident by his NCAA leading 300 carries.  He is a leader on and off the field in his Senior season as captain of the Sparty’s.   Despite all the recognition this year, Ringer is extremely modest and credits his offensive line and blockers before taking any himself.

Not only is he a great football player, but he seems to be of good character and works hard every day.  Right now, Ringer is the top RB candidate for the Heisman trophy.  There are several quarterbacks ahead of him, with Colt McCoy leading the pack.  MSU plays Wisconsin this Saturday and ends the season in Happy Valley against a really good Penn State squad.  After a disappointing performance against Ohio State at home, look for Ringer to blow up against one of those two teams and pop back on the Heisman radar screen.  If Texas loses in the Big 12 Championship game or Colt McCoy loses his head of steam, Ringer may be Heisman hopeful.

Whatever happens, Ringer’s play this year has set him aside as one of this year’s most talented backs in college football and should give him a shot to play on Sundays.  Willie Parker, Leon Washington and others have shown that a smaller back can still succeed in the NFL.