EXTENDING DEPARTMENTS:
JAVON RINGER

We know he gets a ton of touches. What does it all mean?

Getty Images

A deeper look inside his numbers is below.

[Ed's note: We are taking department pages from the back of the current issue of ESPN The Magazine and updating their content to benefit you as a reader.]

Everyone with access to a stats page can tell you this much about Michigan State RB Javon Ringer: he leads Division I in rushing yards (1,112), scoring (84 points), carries (247, which is 68 more than the current No. 2 guy, UConn's Donald Brown) and touchdowns (14). Those numbers constitute primarily a RB workload, but until two weeks ago, he was also returning balls on special teams. If Michigan State plays a bowl game—seems likely right now—he'll smash the record for carries in a D-I season (450, set just last year by UCF's Kevin Smith). In the current issue of ESPN The Magazine, the college football department page has a look at some less obvious numbers that define Ringer. Here's a few that were left on the cutting room floor, as well as a broader question on what the MSU stud represents for college football (and baseless speculation about his Heisman chances!)

THREE
Even though Ringer split time with Jehuu Caulcrick (now of the New York Jets) the last few seasons, he actually led the team in rushing yards the past three seasons, the first Spartan tailback to do that since Sedrick Irvin from '96 to '98. As for the split last year, MSU RB coach Dan Enos explained that Caulcrick, who frequently struggled with his weight while in East Lansing, came in last season in the best shape of his career, thus deserving more touches. He became the primary red zone threat for the team.

Additionally, Ringer was the first player in Big 10 history to win Conference Offensive Player of the Week three straight weeks. He did that this September.

EIGHTEEN
Rivals recruiting service has had its share of misses, as would be expected. Check out this 2005 running backs chart. Ringer is listed at 18. Hard to argue with Jonathan Stewart at 1: dude had a good career at Oregon and now is helping the Carolina Panthers suceed with a two-back attack. Marlon Lucky, Jamaal Charles, Rashard Mendenhall: all those guys basically panned out as expected. Some of the names above Ringer are comical, though. If you've never heard of J.R. Hasty, read this article. It will also help explain why the Washington head coaching job may soon be open.

SIX
This is a number that could concern Spartan fans. Ringer missed the last six games of his senior year of HS due to injury issues. While he's an admitted beast in the weight room now—he squats around 620 and says he focuses on his legs more than anything—the workload could still be a health concern. In last week's win over Northwestern, he carried 35 times and caught two balls as well. In this week's game against Ohio State, he's likely going to need 30-40 touches if the Spartans want to stay competitive. His running style is shiftier than most—he compares himself, loosely, to Steelers RB Willie Parker and his position coach equates him to former LSU standout Kevin Faulk—getting hit 30 times by Buckeye linebackers can take its toll eventually.

WHAT DOES THE SMITH/RINGER BACK-TO-BACK MEAN?
College football has recently been defined by the spread offense, but yet, in back-to-back seasons, a D-I back is going to go over 400 carries. Before Smith, it happened twice since 1980: Marcus Allen with USC in 1981 and Troy Davis with Iowa State in 1996. How do we go from 15 years apart for uber-workhorse backs to back-to-back? ESPN.Com Big 10 blogger Adam Rittenberg addressed it in a post a few weeks ago: the 12-game regular season, the addition of more league championship games and general durability all play a role. Also, as Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio said simply of Ringer: "You want to feature your best player and right now, that's our tailback." They are undefeated in conference, so it's working 'till now.

COULD JAVON RINGER WIN THE HEISMAN?
The presumptive Heisman front-runners as of last Saturday morning were Chase Daniel and Sam Bradford. Both lost heartbreakers. Tim Tebow likely re-inserted himself into the discussion with Florida pasting LSU by 30, and Colt McCoy has to be considered in the running after leading a team to a No. 1 ranking in a Top 5 rivalry game. Ringer's numbers are incredible, though. So does he have a chance? Here are a few takes: MLive.Com; The Detroit Free Press; Bleacher Report; The New York Times; ESPN.Com and Drew Sharp.

All told, he's definitely a longshot, but a huge performance in upending OSU on Saturday could raise his stock, especially if McCoy and Texas end up losing to Missouri, thus confusing the individual award race even more.

Print Article . Email Article. Subscribe to The Magazine