After redshirting in 2003, Nutt started every game during the 2004 season and helped the Blue Devils lead the Northeast Conference in total offense. In 2005, with Nutt starting all 11 games, Central produced the top rushing attack in the conference.

“The seniors took me under their wings during my first years and helped me learn to learn from my mistakes,” Nutt said. “Now I am trying to do the same thing.”

And he has been rather successful in doing so. With Nutt and his fellow offensive linemen clearing lanes, Hairston and the Blue Devil backfield led the nation in rushing offense, averaging 284.91 yards per game.

“Run blocking is something you love to do. If you don’t love to run block, you don’t belong on the line,” Nutt said. “I have had the opportunity to play alongside some great linemen at Central. Each one of them has been committed to being physical and playing hard every week. I hope the next generation of players takes the same things with them throughout their careers.”

Nutt, however, admits there is room for improvement from one week to the next. So the linemen watch film together. They work on making adjustments together. They assess their mistakes together. They make corrections together. They are always working together. And the end result is something they take pride in together: Hairston has been named an All-American by the American Football Coaches’ Association, The Sports Network, and the Associated Press. He established single-season bests in both school and Northeast Conference history. He had two of the top seven and three of the top 11 individual rushing performances in the nation, including a 332-yard performance on homecoming versus St. Francis (PA). And he played in the Hula Bowl in mid-January.

“He puts Central on the map,” Nutt said. “We did our part up front, but it wasn’t just us blocking. He is an unbelievable back. I really hope I can see him playing Sundays.”

For his own efforts on the field, Nutt earned Mid-Major All-America accolades from The Sports Network. He also was named a first team selection by the NEC and the ECAC. While these honors mean much to him, Nutt shows just as much pride in another.

A back-to-back ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I selection, Nutt, an accounting major, became one of 49 student-athletes nationwide to earn Academic All-America status. Joining players from both I-A and I-AA schools, Nutt was a second team honoree.

“That award means a lot to me,” Nutt commented. “It solidifies the work I’ve done. It was something I wanted to achieve when I began school, and I hope to earn another next season.”

Harlan Shakun, assistant professor of accounting, sees no reason why he cannot make it two-in-a-row.

“Ryne is the epitome of what a student-athlete should be,” Shakun said. “The sky is the limit for him. He is mature, respectful, and respected. He is the type of student CCSU should be proud to claim.”

Central head football coach Jeff McInerney agrees.

“Ryne stands for everything a student-athlete should stand for,” McInerney said. “He competes in the classroom and on the field. He is the type of player every coach dreams of having on his roster.”

Nutt, who hopes to work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation one day, admits maintaining academic excellence can be a struggle sometimes, but he is not one to become complacent in his efforts.

“I am constantly studying,” Nutt said. “I don’t want to be average.”

Carrying a near perfect 4.00 GPA and standing 6-4, 305 pounds, Nutt is anything but average.

— Jason Stronz
 

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