WINSTON-SALEM — Nate Hartung has landed on his feet — and hopes to stay that way.

The 6-foot-2, 380-pound junior is a starting guard for the Winston-Salem State (N.C.) football team, ranked No. 5 in NCAA Division II. The Rams are 5-0, averaging 36 points and 376 yards per game.

Hartung, 25, was named Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Offensive Lineman of the Week for his efforts in last Saturday's 35-3 win over Bowie State. The Rams generated more than 500 yards of offense in that game.

“Nate has been everything we thought he'd be and then some,” Winston-Salem State coach Connell Mayor said. “We had concerns earlier because he hadn't played in so long.

“But he came to camp, dropped 60 pounds, and he's much stronger than we anticipated. This guy can bench more than 500 pounds twice.”

Before starting the Rams' opener this season, Hartung had not played in a football game since Eastern Arizona played in a junior college bowl game in December of 2010.

He's battled ankle and back ailments since heading to Brigham Young University after serving a Mormon mission in New Zealand.

“I was hurt for so long and I paid the price,” Hartung said. “I got pretty heavy in 2011 because I couldn't do anything that year.

“At BYU, I messed my back up pretty bad. It's a battle ... I have good days, bad days. I've played every snap all year with the first-team offensive line and I'm proud of that.”

Hartung is only a junior in terms of football eligibility. He plans on attending chiropractic school after he graduates.

“It was tougher coming back to play now than it was when I got back from New Zealand,” Hartung said. “Obviously, things haven't gone according to plan since I got back from my mission.

“Now I'm looking to salvage something after all that's happened. But I look at the fact that I have a chance to play 20 to 25 more college football games, get a great education ... I'm still a lucky guy.”

Winston-Salem State is predominantly a black college. Twenty-five percent of the student population is white and Hartung is one of only four white players on the football team. Two of the others are kickers with the third being a long snapper.

“I found our long snapper in my black history class,” Hartung said, laughing. “We got to talking and he said he used to be a long snapper in football. I convinced him to come out for the team and now he's our long-snapper on punts.”

The Rams are 27-3 under third-year coach Mayor and reached the Division II semifinals last season.

“Red, white, yellow, purple, black, I don't care ... We recruit football players,” Mayor said. “Nate has fit in well with our offensive line. It's one of the biggest we've ever had.”

Winston-Salem's starting tackles are 280 and 290 pounds, the other guard is 310 and the center is 280 pounds.

“We've got our sights on the national championship. That's our ultimate goal,” Mayor said.

And Hartung wants to be part of it.

“That's not empty talk here,” Hartung said. “It's exciting. It's exhilirating. Of all the places I've been, I enjoy playing with this group of linemen the most.

“They're big, they're talented and they're a great bunch of guys.”

Hartung is one of at least a dozen players on the Rams' roster formerly with Division I programs.

“Our quarterback was with the Naval Academy, a receiver is from North Carolina State, there's a guy herre from Marshall, South Carolina ... and you're not guaranteed a spot in the lineup here no matter where you're from,” Hartung said. “You have to earn it.”

Hartung earned his.

“Back in spring ball, I knew he'd be a starter for us,” Mayor said. “Nate is very serious about football. He's overcome a lot to be out on that field and I admire him for it.”