Tulsa World: Healthy Tennell gains confidence

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Healthy Tennell gains confidence

Adron Tennell (left) scores a touchdown against Miami last season. Tennell says he is 95 percent healthy on the knee he injured against Texas Tech. Stephen Pingry/Tulsa World file

By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer
Published: 8/19/2008 2:07 AM
Last Modified: 8/19/2008 4:46 AM

NORMAN — The first Oklahoma Sooner to draw a cheer from fans this season was junior wide receiver Adron Tennell.

It happened early in OU's public practice Aug. 8, during a one-on-one drill between wideouts and defensive backs. Tennell sped down the left sideline, gauged Sam Bradford's high-arching long pass, then soared over Jamell Fleming to make the catch near the end zone.

It was a tell-tale moment, a highlight that gave the Sooners, besides their fans, something to look forward to.

"I lacked confidence all summertime, so I'm trying to build it back up," Tennell said.

Tennell lost it last year in a 34-27 loss to Texas Tech.

"I was running down on a punt," he said. "As I was going to stop, one of the dudes pushed me in the back and my leg was caught in the turf. I heard it pop."

The anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee had torn. His season was over.

That Tennell could accept. He wasn't contributing much outside of special teams anyhow. The concern was more for the future.

Malcolm Kelly turned pro, and Tennell's development became more crucial. OU's two senior starting wideouts knew as much.

"He's tall, he's a great athlete and he has good hands," Manuel Johnson said.

"He's one of those guys you want to get well because he can make a lot of plays for us," said Juaquin Iglesias.

But would Tennell get well? It was his first serious injury, and the mental hurdle was imposing.

"Juaquin, Manny and Malcolm all told me it was going to be all right," Tennell said.

So he put in quality rehabilitation room time and still goes, in fact, to "try to get my knee back together and my motion all back."

Tennell, who refutes rumors he reinjured the knee over the summer, estimates he's 95 percent healthy. He can handle the brace he'll wear all season.

It's simply a matter of trust, feeling secure he can push off and cut hard on that right knee. It certainly looked good on that play against Fleming.

"Pooh is coming along every day," receivers coach Jay Norvell said. "He's not quite there yet."

"I've just got to get that little extra boost," Tennell said, "got to get that extra five percent ready."

Guerin Emig 581-8355
guerin.emig@tulsaworld.com
By GUERIN EMIG World Sports Writer

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