MSU center finds his Nitch...

Be careful! He may be 6’3” and weigh 300 pounds, but if you aren’t careful you may miss the Spartan’s center Joel Nitchman. He isn’t little, but he

Be careful! He may be 6’3” and weigh 300 pounds, but if you aren’t careful you may miss the Spartan’s center Joel Nitchman. He isn’t little, but he also doesn’t have an attitude that so many athletes reflect today. He can blend into a crowd even with an imposing body structure.

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As he walks out of the tunnel, recently after a win, he seems almost sheepish when someone asks for an autograph, and if you need an interview with him (like I did for this story) he acts surprised.Â

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So Joel, how does it make you feel when QB Brian Hoyer says this, “Joel is a great worker and is one of those guys that you can see getting better each week. He really inspires everyone with how hard he works. I am very confident with him as my center.” Nitchman’s answer wasn’t what you would have expected. “Wow, wasn’t that really nice of him? That just really humbles me. I love playing football and getting better means a lot to me. I have been really blessed to get this chance and I would never have wished John (Masters) any ill will, but I just need to make the most of this shot until he is 100%.”

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You could say humility is a good thing, but Nitchman sure doesn’t show that when he gets on the field. “That center is really tough. I think he really anchors them with how he gets off of the ball. He is going to be special,” was how BGSU head coach Gregg Brandon described him to me. Nitchman was just as floored by his comments as Hoyer’s. “That really means a lot to me that an opposing coach would say that (pauses and drops his head) I just really think it was more of the entire lines work. We have such great players and coaches that talking about me isn’t real fair to them. I don’t do anything to make people notice me, if they talk about Jehuu or Javon or Brian that makes me feel good because that means I did my job. ”

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It is that attitude combined with his work ethic that has really gotten the attention of the MSU coaches and fans. “Joel goes about his job and pays attention and combined with a great work ethic you get to really see the potential and what he can be,” was how OC Don Treadwell described him. I watched Nitchman in drills before the season and took note then when he stepped into take some extra reps, something that is not normal on a hot summer day at any position.

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Don’t be fooled, however, by the youngster from Kalamazoo. He is mean and nasty when he steps on the field. During the Pitt game, after taking out his assigned defensive tackle, he was able to get downfield for yet another punishing block and that is what makes him special and he helped the Spartans sustain a crucial clock killing drive. He has deceptive agility and one area that DT’s are notorious for attacking is the center when his hands are up giving the ball to the QB and unable to get their hands on the defender for leverage. Nitchman’s release is so fast, that I only counted three plays in the Pitt game where the defender was able to engage him before he could them or at the least simultaneously. To the average person that may not say much, but to those that know football that is a phenomenal stat.

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Jehuu Caulcrick said it best about Nitchman when he told me, “You don’t worry with Joel. You know that he does his job so I don’t even really think when I know I’ve got a play that I need him on. He is a really good center.”Â

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“You know I owe a lot to my coaches both at MSU and in high school, I guess, for how I work. I would have to say that my parents really, though, helped the most. They are really good people and that is how they have lived their lives. They were just a real good example of working hard and keeping your mouth shut.”

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Who says that today’s athlete is mired in self-glory and egocentrism? Here is a young kid that has gotten his chance and made the most of it and tries to spin the glory to his teammates and his coaches, but most of all to his parents.Â

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“I just love football. I don’t think you can play for Coach Dantonio and not love football. He loves it and if you don’t, I just don’t think you could fit in. I am really thankful to be a Spartan and to contribute.” How much pride do you have in what you have been able to do so far Joel? “I am more proud of the winning. If MSU does good, we all do good. I think you have to think of it as a team thing not a personal thing.”

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I left Joel and went to the press box to write my game story that day, and when I got out of the elevator on top I looked down out of the window and there was Joel, standing next to his smaller father. A perfect picture if you wanted to describe him. Side by side walking to the Duffy with his father’s hand up around his massive shoulder, both with their heads down. I guess the son does emulate the father. Most dads (myself included) would have been walking head up bragging about how great his kid was. I guess his Mom and Dad figure they don’t have to tell you. Meet him and you will find out!

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One thing I know to be true. Come 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, under the shadow of touchdown Jesus, the Irish will meet him and they better pack an extra tube of Ben Gay. They can meet him at the center of the field after the game for a prayer but before it he is coming to punish them.