But this dual nature is only one layer of Humber's personality, and it's what makes him so mysterious as a person and a player.

Felt Like Home
A native of Brooklyn Park, Minn., Humber doesn't exactly recall his first memory of football, but he remembers playing the game at recess with friends in elementary school. Fast forward years ahead to high school where Humber had emerged as a talented prep star who was enjoying his time on the field. "It was good; there was good competition in our conference," he explained.

Humber and his team made it to the state tournament several times, including the championship his sophomore year. By that time, he'd already decided he wanted to continue playing football in college, although he didn't know where. "It was something I wanted to do growing up," he said.

A multi-sport athlete, Humber enjoyed playing basketball but had a gut feeling that football was his future. He said he preferred the freedom of the football field and his ability to move around, finessing his game until he'd polished his skills.

One of the Bison coaches, Brent Vigen, contacted Humber during his junior year, and even came to a game, although Humber didn't know he was there. Humber said it really wouldn't have mattered if he'd known Vigen was in attendance, because he's always focused enough on the field that outside distractions don't faze him.

He talked to Vigen, made a few other campus visits to various schools, but decided in the middle of his senior year to commit to playing at NDSU. "It felt a lot like home," Humber explained about why he decided to play for the Bison.

The proximity to his hometown also meant that Humber's family could attend most of the home games, which they have done every season. The family has missed very few home games, and this season they plan to travel to several of the road games as well, Humber said. "It means a lot to me," he said of his family attending so many games. "They're proud of me and want me to be successful."

Humber's little brother starts playing high school football this year, and he's already starting to talk about following in his big brother's footsteps. "It means a lot to him to have someone to look up to," Humber disclosed. Humber said he isn't tempted to give his brother too much advice about the sport, other than to not get hit, he laughed.

Defining His Role
When Humber reported to fall camp in August of his freshman year, he soon realized what a learning experience being a rookie on the field was. "It's different; it's a faster pace, and the players are bigger, more athletic," he explained. "But you have to adapt to it, and accept your role."

Humber, who'd played middle linebacker in high school, shifted into the outside linebacker position after he became a Bison. He explained that the adjustment wasn't hard because he's pretty adaptable, and he acclimated himself to the freedom he found as an outside linebacker.

Humber wouldn't say it himself, but his easy adjustment is probably due to his intelligence. Linebacker Coach Kyle Nystrom described Humber as a "very smart, talented young man," observations he made soon after meeting Humber his first year at NDSU. "I knew he was a good player…that he could have played at other schools," Nystrom said. "But I was glad he was here."

As a freshman, Humber knew he had the chance to play, but he just focused on contributing to the team as much as he could. Early on, Humber adopted a mentality of doing the best he could and not worrying about past mistakes he might have made on the field.

"In football, you have to have that mentality," he divulged. Humber recognized that he could offer support to other players, as well, by reminding them about the unproductive nature of dwelling on the past, and by encouraging them to forget about errors to move forward on the field.

His quiet leadership is the indelible mark he'll leave on the Bison football program. Nystrom said Humber has always been an action person, not a verbal person. "His role is always defined by what he does on the field," Nystrom said.

Nystrom also likened Humber to his former teammate, Joe Mays, who now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. Bison fans recognize Humber's innate talents and gifts and will remember him long after he's walked off the Fargodome turf, just like Mays.

"People are going to say, 'Do you remember when we had that great player?'" Nystrom said of Humber's legacy.

Split Personality
With his thoughtful, soft-spoken answers, it's hard to imagine Humber being aggressive on the football field. But that's exactly what he is. Humber probably wouldn't be the successful collegiate athlete he is if his quiet demeanor translated to the field. That's just not how it works.

"When he gets on the field, he's nastier," Nystrom explained. "He turns it up a notch, and he competes."

Nystrom said he knows Humber is good friends with a few of the other players, but he mostly keeps to himself. "Most good football players have an edge," Nystrom observed. "He's more of a police chief; everyone knows you're the top dog in the realm."

The work ethic that gets the job done every Saturday is the same one that has carried him through his college academic career as well. His personal mantra of "be the best I can" has resulted in ACADEMIC ALL AMERICAN. Humber is set to graduate in December 2009 with a community and sports degree, which would prepare him for a job such as a YMCA program director, he explained.

Nystrom has other ideas for Humber's future though. With Humber on the cusp of his senior—and possibly greatest—year, Nystrom expects him to make All-American. "I expect him to (get) those kinds of accolades," he predicted.

But the accolades won't stop there. Nystrom said he hopes to see Humber playing in the NFL within five years. "He's got a pretty good chance," he mused. "He's been blessed."

Nystrom said Humber possesses genuine talent, incredible intelligence, and a good personality. "He's one of few people who's gifted in all areas," he said.

Humber said his ideal job would be working at a fitness center near his hometown and possibly coaching a high school football team. If that happens, don't expect to see Humber yelling at his players on the sideline. He's just not that kind of a guy.