College Football 2012: Why Rutgers' NT Scott Vallone Deserves Your Attention

If you've never heard of Scott Vallone, I wouldn't blame you. Up until recently, I hadn't either. However, when I read that Andrea Adelson of ESPN.com called him the Big East's "Iron Man," I had to take notice.

The first thing I noticed about Vallone was his numbers. One number stood out in particular. The senior nose tackle has started an impressive 38 games in his career at Rutgers. That puts Vallone in the lead of all Big East's returning players in games started.

Now you may be wondering why any of this matters to you (if you're not a Rutgers fan, that is). It's simple—Vallone represents what we all want college football to be about at its core.

He is a dedicated young man who believes in hard work ethic and is someone we cheer for through adversity, no matter the jersey he wears. These type of players are not common so when they come along, they are worth noting.

It goes beyond dedication for Vallone. During his time at Rutgers, he has shown an immense amount of heart. Injuries have plagued him, but nothing has stopped Vallone from pushing forward. Season-ending surgery in 2008 couldn't keep him from the football field. Shoulder surgery this last spring couldn't either.

The football field is where he wants to be and regardless of circumstances, that's where he always ends up.

Vallone's size on the field is not larger than life. He is undersized for a position that is arguably one of the most physically demanding positions to play. At 275 lbs, he often faces off against guys 25 lbs heavier or more. It doesn't matter though because it is Vallone's presence that is larger than life. He stands his ground.

The writing had always been on the wall for Vallone. It was clear he was something special long before now.

At the end of his redshirt freshman season, Vallone was named to the Football Writers Association of America All-America team. He had 41 tackles and nine for a loss. It would only get better from there. He currently has a career 141 tackles.

It's also important to note that Vallone is more than just the numbers on the football field. While 38 career starts are outstanding, it is his attitude on and off the field that shines.

Many may actually remember Vallone, as he graced the cover of Sports Illustrated with fellow teammate Eric LeGrand who had been paralyzed during a Rutgers football game. However, if you were to ask Vallone about that cover, he is quick to note it is not about him. That kind of attitude is always far more important than any numbers.

So if you had yet to learn Scott Vallone's name, take notice now. This is someone you won't want to forget.

I know I won't.