A former walk-on for the football team, White broke onto the stage in the second half of the 2008 football season and only got better in 2009.

This past season, White led the Spartans in receptions (70), receiving yards (990) and receiving touchdowns (nine).

White’s on-the-field success landed him first team All-Big Ten honors from the league’s coaches, but it’s what he has done off the field that makes his success that much more amazing.

White graduated in the fall with a 3.89 GPA in human biology and was named an Academic All-American — the program’s first since 1993.

The man aptly nicknamed “The Dentist,” turned down dental school at the University of Michigan and the University of Detroit-Mercy to pursue professional football. He signed Saturday with the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent.

White was just the 14th player in program history to earn Academic All-Big Ten honors for four straight years.

His individual accolades on and off the field are spectacular in their own right, but to do them at the same time in a four-year span simply is incredible.

White has been a tremendous ambassador for MSU, and let’s hope that other student-athletes can be inspired from him. Often, we hear how difficult school can be for an athlete, but White has proven that, with the opportunities a student-athlete is given, anything is possible.

Blair White has exemplified exactly what it means to be a student-athlete and should be the poster boy for the NCAA for years to come.

The runners-up

Junior linebacker Greg Jones was a consensus All-American and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year for his outstanding season, which was highlighted with his 154 tackles — good for third in the nation. Jones also turned down early entry to the NFL, electing to return for his senior season to help the Spartan defense and get his college degree.

There might not have been a more dominant MSU career than the one of wrestler Franklin Gomez.

The 2009 national champion, Gomez finished third at the NCAA Wrestling Championships in March. Gomez finished his career as a three-time All-American with a career record of 119-15, making him perhaps the greatest wrestler in MSU history.

MSU soccer goalkeeper Avery Steinlage shattered the NCAA all-time consecutive shutout record, going 1,318 minutes and 26 seconds without allowing a goal — stretching back to the 2008 season.

The junior’s physique makes him an all-around athlete and the Spartans are thankful he has put a brick wall in the net at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field.

It has been an exciting three years for junior guard Kalin Lucas. Although he might not have been as flashy on the court as he was a year ago, Lucas developed into a team leader after being questioned by head coach Tom Izzo midway through the season.

Lucas (14.8 points, 3.9 assists per game) was named to the first team All-Big Ten for the second consecutive season.

Chris Vannini is a State News sports reporter. He can be reached at vanninic@msu.edu..