Meet Brett Swenson: Michigan State Football's Golden Brett

The game of football doesn't just rely on stud quarterbacks, athletic wide receivers, or powerful running backs.

The game of football is often settled by its unsung heroes: the placekickers.

Brett Swenson, the 22-year-old former Michigan State Spartan game-saver, knows what it means to be a difference-maker—ask the 2008 Iowa football team.

Swenson nailed the game-winning field goal in Sparty's 16-14 homecoming win, helping the Spartans to their best season in a decade (9-3).

In 2009, Swenson established himself as the all-time leading scorer in Michigan State football history with 278 career points. He also was named amongst contenders for the prestigious Lou Groza award in his record-shattering season as the green and white's golden-legged kicker.

There's no question of Swenson's range. He hit two of three attempts from 50-plus yards and was a constant for coach Mark Dantonio in pivotal moments. He was a perfect 2-for-2 against rival Michigan in 2009, a game which the Spartans defeated their in-state nemesis for the second consecutive year.

Kickers are seldom hot commodities in the NFL draft. But there's been one name that no one can deny in regards to the NFL's greatest kickers: former Spartan Morten Andersen. Andersen is widely considered one of the game's best—Swenson has a long way to go, but he has the potential to reach Andersen's level.

Swenson's résumé speaks volumes; he was 19-for-22 in field goal attempts and 44-for-45 in extra-point tries (2009). The 2009 MSU football MVP only missed three extra-point attempts in four years in East Lansing and converted on roughly 75 percent of his field goals in his illustrious career.

Swenson has earned such accolades as second-team All-Big Ten in 2008 (coaches and media), 2009 Elite Placekicker in the College Football Performance Awards, and a freshman first-teamer in 2006.

The 22-year-old notched quite the reputation in college, and if the pro ranks were watching, there's no question that a franchise will likely take a chance on the kid from Florida. 

With no concrete prospects as of yet, Swenson (and Spartan fans) will have to wait until April's NFL Draft to see just where he'll land.