The accolades keep coming for Butler graduate Nate Hartung.

All he needs now is a place to play.

Hartung, 24, was recently named Male Athlete of the Year at Eastern Arizona College, where he was a first team NJCAA football All-American as a center.

The 6-foot-2, 400-pound Hartung was also named the school's Academic Male Athlete of the Year. He carried a 3.89 grade point average and is working toward a history degree.

“It's extremely rare for an offensive lineman to be named athlete of the year here,” Eastern Arizona football coach John O'Mera said. “Nate's deserving, but it usually goes to a running back, point guard, home run hitter, some higher profile position.”

The Athlete of the Year award is voted upon by coaches of all the sports at the school. The academic award goes to the student with the highest GPA among athletes of his gender at the school.

Being first team All-American, Hartung figured he'd be considered for the award. He didn't figure on getting it.

“Not with the athletes at this school,” he said. “We've got a basketball player going to UTEP, a couple of baseball players who might get drafted and some football players who are going Division I.”

Hartung would like to be among the latter, but hasn't been offered a scholarship yet.

He anchored a line that enabled Eastern Arizona to lead the NJCAA in rushing the past two years. The Gila Monsters rushed for 3,555 yards last season.

“One of the reasons Nate got our top athlete award is that he stands out on the field at his position,” O'Mera said. “What he does is very noticeable and he's a first-class person as well.”

Regardless, the big-school college scouts will not commit to his 400-pound frame.

“My weight kills their interest,” Hartung admitted. “They love what they see on film, call me up, find out I weigh 400 pounds, say they thought I weighed 50 pounds less than that and don't call me back.

“I don't quite understand the logic, but I can't make their decisions for them.”

Hartung has recovered from a nagging ankle injury and is now dealing with a sore hip. He's been working in the mill at Armco while keeping in shape.

He has two years of football eligibility remaining.

“I'll be playing somewhere in the fall. I just don't know where yet,” he said.

Hartung plans to visit Southern University in Louisuiana. Edinboro and Slippery Rock are among Division II programs interessted in him.

O'Mera said Purdue recently requested film on Hartung.

“A secondary signing period begins in two weeks,” O'Mera said. “Something may break for him then. Frankly, I'm puzzled over his situation. Teams should be all over him.”