Senior Richie Bryant has a weathered knee and a banged up shoulder or two.
He also has the lead rushing numbers in the Heart of American Athletic Conference with 1,284 yards and the largest scoring margin in the NAIA – 25 touchdowns in this season alone.
Oh yeah, and he has one more season of football eligibility left.
“I did some digging,” head coach Mike Grossner said. “We kind of put it together and let him think about it.”
Bryant, a physical education major, has a year of classes left, not including a semester of student teaching to be completed his final semester.
“I knew I was going to have to come back next year anyway,” Bryant said.
What the 5-foot-11-inch running back didn’t know is that his career as a Wildcat didn’t have to be over just yet.
“I asked if he’d want to play again,” Grossner said. “He said, ‘I love football.’”
Although Bryant loves football, there's another sport he’s just as passionate about.
In high school, Bryant had an unbelievable ability to run track.
That natural talent, coupled with a desire to work hard, led him to Florissant Valley Community College in St. Louis.
Later, Bryant was directed to Baker University – for track of course.
“When (the track coaches) were recruiting him, they made me aware of it,” Grossner said. “It turned out that he did well for both sports.”
Since joining the football program, Bryant has managed to make quick and lasting impact on a program that hasn’t had a playoff berth in 15 years.
“It’s huge,” Grossner said. “He’s been phenomenal for us. When he gets the ball in his hands, it’s exciting.”
On the field Bryant has a team full of teammates he calls family.
He has senior Herb Askew – a player who leads the team in interceptions with five on the season. He has seniors Tyrell Spain and Eric Allen – two players who have been relentless in their quest for success this season.
He also has linebacker Spencer Curran and defensive lineman Philip Weinmaster to help win a game.
When Bryant’s searching for holes to run through, he has offensive lineman Andy Bibb. And when he needs someone to earn a few extra points, he has senior Derek Doerfler – who also is coming back next season.
“I think we’ll be just as good, maybe better,” Bryant said. “We have some key seniors leaving, but we have some returning.”
Bryant has quarterback Mack Brown and wide receiver Brad Fawcett. He has a team of brothers he’s come to love and respect.
“They were kind of happy,” Bryant said of his team. “They didn’t know I had another year.”