DeKALB | Garrett Wolfe is the best running back in the nation, and anyone who says different needs a psychiatrist.

And the best thing about Wolfe is he’s the poster boy for everything the NCAA would want in a Heisman candidate. Notice this does not say Heisman trophy winner… yet.

He’s electrifying on the field and people across the nation want to see more of the 5-foot-7 running back who slices and dices opposing defenses.

Wolfe is the star player who puts his team first and doesn’t showboat, but gets his job done.

He’s the street kid from the inner city that struggled and fought to become the unstoppable machine you see rush for nearly 200 yards a game, week in and week out.

Wolfe didn’t start the first three games of NIU’s 2004 season, despite receiving playing time.

But when A.J. Harris went down against Bowling Green, Wolfe became the runner everyone doubted he could be.

Wolfe was stuffed for a two-yard loss on the goal line to end the first half of that game. He then rushed for 202 yards and three touchdowns in the second half. Yes, the second half.

But then came the character issues, and Wolfe’s off-the-field fight that benched him for NIU’s 2004 MAC title game hopes in a loss to Toledo.

Wolfe knew he let his team down and returned the next week to run for 325 yards on 43 carries.

In only eight starts in 2004, Wolfe ran for 1,710 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also caught 10 passes for 117 yards and three scores.

But did he head into 2005 with the attitude of being the man who needs to get “his touches?” No, because he knew the combination of Harris and him would be even scarrier.

In nine games last year, missing three due to injury, Wolfe collected 1,580 yards and 17 touchdowns.

You want to say he’s not tough?

Wolfe played the entire 2005 season with a separated shoulder.

You want to say he wouldn’t put up the same numbers if he played in a BCS conference? Go right ahead.

He only rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries against Michigan.

He only rushed for 245 yards and three touchdowns against Northwestern.

He only rushed for 171 yards and caught five passes for 114 yards and a touchdown against Ohio State, the No. 1 team in the nation.

In three games this year, Wolfe leads the nation with 630 yards. That’s a 210 yards-per-game average, and almost 39 yards more per game than second place Adrian Peterson from Oklahoma.

Wolfe is No. 8 on ESPN’s Heisman watch list? Give me a break.