By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland.com) —
He’s third on his own team in rushing with 217 yards in two games and he’s 680 yards behind Big Ten leader Javon Ringer of Michigan State.

But despite missing three games, Ohio State running back Beanie Wells, one of the preseason favorites for the Heisman Trophy, still considers himself a candidate.

“You never know what’s going to happen,” Wells said today. “There’s a lot of great athletes out there, but I’d like to think the Heisman is not out of my reach. A lot of times people get to thinking the Heisman is all about numbers and a team’s record, but when it comes around to it, it’s about who’s the best player in college football.

“Not who runs for the most yards or the most touchdowns - who’s the most dominant player that you can honestly say is the best player on the field at the end of the game.”

Can that be a guy nursing a nagging injury to his right big toe and base of his right foot, who is wearing what he deems clunky shoes to protect the foot that he knows won’t be 100 percent healthy all year?

“I honestly think so,” Wells said.

Wells said he has a program to ice and exercise the foot, but he doesn’t have to limit his walking during the day and said that getting out and strolling to class actually helps keep his toe from stiffening up.

Jim Tressel said earlier today that Wells responded well after Saturday’s game and Wells agreed that he bounced back better than he expected.

“It’s a little sore, but not extremely bad,” Wells said. “I wouldn’t say it was the worst it has been.”

Is the foot ready for a Heisman run? That’s a long way off. He’s got seven regular season games left - averaging about 200 yards per game, and winning each one, would be a start.

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