Michigan State University Athletics
Ervin Baldwin: Focused, Determined & Going Places
11/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 27, 2007
By Matthew Benjamin, MSU Sports Information Student Assistant
The old lore says that cats have nine lives. This could be the reason why senior defensive end Ervin Baldwin, who by the way, weighs in at 270 pounds, is afraid of them.
"People would not know that being my size I am scared of cats - a big guy like me is afraid of cats," honestly admitted Baldwin.
Size aside, it makes sense. See, he deals with quarterbacks. And the act of sacking them. They don't have this luxury life support; they normally stay down or get medically carted back to their locker room - remember, Baldwin's 270 pounds. So it's logical that it surprises him when "the cat comes back the very next day."
Ironically though, to opposing quarterbacks, he is the cat. Never going away. Always coming back for more. That's the way he lives his life. All nine long.
Baldwin began his collegiate career at Reedley (Calif.) College - a junior college in the Central Valley Conference.
"There isn't a better way. It makes you grow up faster, makes you become a man much quicker, so if I had to do it all over again I'd take the same route," expressed Baldwin.
In his second and final season with Reedley in 2005, Baldwin was named the CVC Defensive Player of the Year. His individual accomplishment and overall defensive effort helped the Tigers repeat as CVC champions.
Awards are nice. Championships are too. But moving on to the Big Ten meant number 51 would have to take a good look in the mirror, find his humility and ameliorate his game.
"When I first got in I worked with (Strength & Conditioning) Coach Ken Mannie. I had never experienced anything like that, the type of intensity that it takes to get better on this level. I just hit the weight room hard and continued to get stronger. I came in last summer and I got in the weight room to work on the fundamental drills to improve my game," explained Baldwin.
That's not to diminish the play at the JUCO level; it's a very competitive league. However, even Baldwin confessed that football now is faster, stronger and more fundamentally sound. It's less a knock on the CVC and more a compliment on the Big Ten, as he was all praise for his former team and coaches.
"They always talked about `playing fast' and `using your hands,' especially at defensive end, and being quick off the ball and just playing fast every play," said Baldwin. "I thank those coaches out there for everything."
His hard work paid dividends immediately, as he started all 12 games during his junior season as a Spartan. On the field he did what he was asked - he made plays. He led the defensive line in both tackles with 35 and sacks with four. No surprise, he is making plays again this year as he has surpassed both of last season's totals already with 47 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He ranks third in the Big Ten with 16 tackles for losses, which is tied for fifth best in an MSU season.
Undoubtedly though, his biggest plays come at night on the grass of Spartan Stadium. That's when he earns his fantasy points. Last year when No. 12 Notre Dame visited, Baldwin intercepted Brady Quinn and returned it to the barn. It was his first career pick-six. "Every time I go home everybody's always talking about that," smiled a nostalgic Baldwin.
Then, earlier this season against an improved Indiana Hoosier team, Baldwin scooped up a fumble and, of course, ran back to that familiar barn.
Maybe there's something in the lights.
"The funny thing about it was that before the game, Friday night, I told the guys I was going to get back in the endzone and they started laughing at me, but it happened again. I don't know, it was just God's will I guess."
Although hitting the weight room hard has strengthened Baldwin's game, it might be his friendly competition with defensive end Jonal Saint-Dic that has allowed for his constant success on the field.
"We come out at practice and compete everyday. If he does something, then I try to do it 10 times better. And the same goes for him when I make a play. So we feed off another. You want to be the best one on the defensive line; it's great competition."
They're good friends, or "homeboys." They congratulate each other on the field when a good play is made and hangout outside of football hours. It doesn't even bother Baldwin that Saint-Dic is in the limelight more than him.
"I don't need that attention; it's great for Saint-Dic but I just got to go out there and do what I got to do and I'll be recognized sooner than later," acknowledged Baldwin.
After his collegiate football career ends Baldwin has some ambitious plans. No surprise, he hopes to be scouted by some professional teams, as his ultimate goal would be to play at the elite level that is the NFL. However, if that doesn't work out, he would like to use his sociology degree he will receive in May and flirt with the idea of starting his own mentor program for disadvantaged children.
"When I go back home to Georgia the kids look up to me in my community so I take them out, go to youth football programs and show the kids a little technique. I just try to take time out and chill with the kids, try to be a great role model and lead by example," Baldwin said as he unveiled his aspirations.
Whatever avenue he pursues, expect him to do great things like he has on the defensive line. He's used a determined work ethic to get himself in the position he is in and that's a great recipe for success in any arena. Cliché aside, he's on track to do anything his heart desires. Well, don't expect him to be cast a starring role in Cats, even with the stage lights. But that's about the only limit on the possibilities. Maybe the ambiguous `G' in G-Ball, as he is known in the locker room, stands for "Going Places."
Feature originally published in Spartan Sports Zone Magazine vs. Penn State
