A different path
There are plenty of Ringers carrying footballs, but Northmont’s Kaleb Ringer is tackling running backs.
Javon Ringer: 2004 CJ grad; 2nd-year RB with Tennessee Titans.
Kevin Ringer: 2009 Northmont grad; sophomore RB at Baldwin-Wallace.
Korey Ringer: 2010 Northmont grad; freshman RB at Grand Rapids JC.
Kaleb Ringer: Northmont, junior linebacker.
Kyle Ringer: Northmont Middle School, seventh-grader, WR/LB.
CLAYTON — Kaleb Ringer fancied himself running for touchdowns. That’s what his older nephew Javon Ringer and older brothers Kevin and Korey did.
No chance.
“I always grew up big and I never got the chance in peewee to run the ball,” reflected Kaleb Ringer, Northmont High School’s menacing presence at middle linebacker.
“At first I was center and Korey was the quarterback. It was 1-2 Ringer. ... When they switched me over, I got that linebacker mentality to go head-first and hit. I’ve always liked hitting.”
Good thing, because Kaleb has broken the Ringer running back mold that has flourished at Chaminade Julienne with Javon and Northmont with since-graduated Kevin and Korey.
At 6 feet and 223 pounds, the junior has followed a breakout sophomore season with another mostly outstanding effort. He’s helped light up opposing offenses of late and is a big reason why the Thunderbolts (6-2) take a five-game winning streak into tonight’s 7:30 contest against visiting rival Wayne (5-3) at Good Samaritan Stadium in the DDN Game of the Week.
Along with defensive tackle Jeremy Campbell and defensive newcomer Josh McClain, Northmont has rallied around its Gang Green defense as much as its newfound offense. Ringer often does get a backfield call on goal-line situations, but otherwise creates havoc as a speedy, hard-hitting linebacker. Both he and Campbell have a team-leading 66 combined tackles and assists.
“It’s the only sport that you can beat up somebody and not get in trouble for it,” he said. “I really appreciate that.”
That’s just the kind of talk that gets the attention of programs like Ohio State, Michigan State, Iowa and Cincinnati, which Ringer lists as his top four college choices.
The Northmont/OSU connection is strong. Safety Kurt Coleman captained the Buckeyes last season and now is with the Philadelphia Eagles. C.J. Barnett was a starting OSU defensive back this season until suffering a season-ending knee injury.
“It’s kind of like a bug flying around my head,” said Ringer, circling a finger, then cupping his hands around his mouth.
“You know, OSU, OSU, OSU.”
Wayne coach Jay Minton is sold on Ringer. Minton helped groom former Wayne and OSU standout linebacker Marcus Freeman and sees Ringer as having a similar impact.
“If there’s a better (linebacker) in the state, I want to see him,” Minton said.
“Whenever they can run out of Ringers is fine by me. There’s a lot of them. It’s got to be really neat for that family to see the success that they’re all having. Kaleb could be one of the best of the bunch.”
All that buildup didn’t help Ringer in early losses to Cincinnati powers Colerain and Moeller. He wasn’t making big plays and whiffing too often on others.
Northmont coach Lance Schneider huddled with Ringer after the Week 3 loss to Moeller that dropped the T-Bolts to 1-2 “and talked a little bit just to get his head right.”
Northmont and Ringer haven’t been the same since. In Week 7 Northmont stunned previously unbeaten Centerville 24-21 in overtime. A season-ending showdown with visiting Springfield (7-1) is on deck.
Ringer also speaks with Javon, now with the Tennessee Titans, after games.
“(Javon) tries to see where my head’s at and keep me level-headed,” Kaleb said. “When I was struggling early, he said don’t let it get to you. Just go out and keep doing what you’re doing and enjoy this, because once you get to college it’s a job.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2381 or mpendleton@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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