Shonn Greene named Offensive POY

Phote: Harry Baumert, Des Moines Register

 Shonn Greene, the starting tailback for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Nation’s leading rusher, was chosen as the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year earlier this week.  He is the second Hawkeye to win the award under Kirk Ferentz, after Brad Banks won in 2002.  Greene is only a junior, and as a Hawkeye fan, I hope he comes back next season.  Right now, after one breakout season, I suspect he would be a late first round to second round pick.  If he returns for his senior season, and has another awesome year, a top 10 pick wouldn’t be out of the question.

Greene has rushed for 1,729 yards this season on just 278 carries.  He leads the nation in rushing yards, ahead of UConn RB Donald Brown (1633) and MSU RB Javon Ringer (1590).  They have each carried the ball significantly more times than him, 304 carries and 370 carries respectively.  Greene has scored 17 touchdowns and has been the only player to rush for more than 100 yards in every game this season.  He now owns the single season rushing record at Iowa, and has carried the Hawkeyes to their first bowl game since 2006 and their first winning season since 2005.

Most people are probably thinking that being the best RB in the Big Ten is like being the smartest kid with down syndrome, but Greene is also a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, given to the top running back in the nation.  The other two finalists are Javon Ringer, and Georgia’s Knowshon Moreno.  Greene has better stats than each of them in pretty much every category this year, he has to be the favorite in my opinion.

Greene has also gotten some consideration for the Heisman Trophy this year.  He is definitely a long shot to win because of the “Video Game QB like” years the three QB’s in the Big 12 are having.  ESPN ranks him 6th behind those 3 QB’s, Tim Tebow and Michael Crabtree.  I really don’t have any qualms with this, but if Greene returns next year, he would be a Heisman favorite heading into the season.  One way you know you have arrived as a Primetime Player is by getting respect from your peers.  Michigan State’s running back Javon Ringer has voiced his opinion for Greene to win the Heisman.  In an interview with the BTN, Ringer said

Honestly right now, I’d probably vote for Shonn Greene.  He’s had over 100 yards every game, he runs hard, and he’s never brought down by the first guy.

He’s by far definitely one of the best backs in the nation.

Ringer recognized consistency as a key factor in being a really good running back.  Greene is one of those short, shifty backs who is hard to get a good hit on.  He doesn’t shy away from contact either.  If he doesn’t juke or spin, he’ll lower his shoulder and make the defender take the brunt of the hit.  I was at the Purdue game where he rushed for 211 yards and 2 TD’s.  He broke a 75 yard run by spinning off the first defender, then outrunning everyone to get into the endzone for 6.  Since you probably haven’t seen him play, check out this video to see the domination.

[youtube=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=1yPN0Oa2YqM&feature=related]

Shonn Greene has shown that he can deal with some diversity off the field as well.  After the 2006 season, where he rushed for 205 yards on 32 carries and 2 TDs in a backup role, he let his grades slip.  Greene was then ruled ineligible for the 2007 season.  He worked at a Mattress World McGregor’s Furniture for money and attended Kirkwood Community College to get his grades back where they need to be.  The fact that Greene worked hard to get back on the field is a testament to his work ethic.  He got back in football shape and is having one of the best years ever for a Hawkeye running back.  It is good to finally have him on the field in a featured role, and hopefully he’ll be back again next year.