San Jose State’s Tyler Ervin is what some call a multi-tool football player for his nationally ranked abilities as a runner, pass receiver, punt returner and kickoff return specialist.

His Spartan teammates will tell you that there’s a lot more to him than being No. 2 in the NCAA in all-purpose yardage (209.8 yards per game) and eighth in rushing (1,303 yards).

Like, for example, his considerable talents with clippers and a pair of scissors.

For all his ability to cut on the field, where he has the only 300-yard rushing game in the Football Bowl Subdivision this year, 12 touchdowns and is known by the nickname, "Swerve," Ervin is prized off of it for his abilities to cut and style hair.

Proof positive, teammates say, is the demand just to get on his busy schedule this week as the Spartans prepare for today’s trip to Honolulu, where they will play Hawaii Saturday at Aloha Stadium.

Three days a week during the season Ervin books appointments at his near-campus apartment, a portion of which is a dedicated barber shop complete with hydraulic chair and tools of the trade.

The chair, Ervin said, "is the best investment I’ve made." For what began as a word-of-mouth enterprise has grown to 20-to-30 appointments a week sandwiched between classes and practices, in this, his senior season.

"Some of my teammates trusted me enough to let me cut their hair for the first time and they loved it."

From there came testimonials that brought still more teammates to his door.

"I can do pretty much any cut or style you want," Ervin said.

Payment for which need not be in cash but often comes in the form of a lunch, snack or trade. "They are my brothers and I don’t want it to seem like I’m just here to get money off them or anything like that," Ervin said.

The way Ervin looks at it, it is a way for him to relax from the rigors of school, practice and games, where he averages 29.2 touches per game, and also get to know his teammates.

"You can learn a lot about (somebody) in the 10 to 35 minutes they are in the chair," Ervin said.

What they learn is that Ervin, as versatile as he is on the football field, has a lot going for him off of it. In addition to studying for a real estate licensing exam, there is the barber trade, which he got into while a sophomore in high school when his curiosity led him to ask his Colton, Calif., hometown barber about the business.

After that it was a short leap to cutting his own hair, realizing, "’Hmm, I probably could do this,’" and expanding his clientele to family members, Ervin said.

At San Jose State, "Some of my teammates trusted me enough to let me cut their hair for the first time and they liked it," Ervin said. From there came testimonials that brought still more teammates and some coaches to his door.

Head coach Ron Caragher has pledged to sit down for a haircut when San Jose State becomes bowl eligible, something that would require victories over UH Saturday and Boise State next week by the 4-6 Spartans.

"I’d give him a good one, ’cause he’d want to look sharp for that bowl game," Ervin said.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.