On a perfect spring day, Steffen Nerdal can walk through the heart of the University of Memphis campus to his business class and attract little or no attention. Oh, there will be the occasional glance, a nod to his offensive lineman's physique.

The 6-7, 300-pound Nerdal is not a football player. He has never played the sport. Yet when he completes his U of M career later this spring, there may not be a more decorated individual in the history of Tiger athletics -- with the exception of four-time all-American basketball player Keith Lee.

A native of Norway, Nerdal is a three-time All-American in track and field (two indoor honors, one outdoor) who has developed into one of the top throwers in the nation under the tutelage of Tiger coach Kevin Robinson. Entering next weekend's Conference USA Track & Field Championships in Orlando, Nerdal, a seven-time league champion, is ranked third nationally in the hammer throw behind Marcel Lomnicky of Virginia Tech and Walter Henning of LSU....