Tulsa World: Reynolds' knees a concern

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Reynolds' knees a concern

OU's Ryan Reynolds (bottom) pulls down Utah State's Curtis Marsh during a 2007 game. Reynolds' health is a major concern for the Sooners in 2008. Tulsa World file

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 8/23/2008 2:09 AM
Last Modified: 8/23/2008 2:20 AM

NORMAN — Technically, Oklahoma is much better off at middle linebacker going into 2008 than it was going into 2007.

That is because this year's projected starter, junior Ryan Reynolds, has a full season as a starter under his belt — albeit at weakside linebacker — while last year's starter, junior Curtis Lofton, previously had seen only backup and special teams duty.

But the reality is, Lofton became one of the greatest linebackers in Sooner history, a consensus All-American and the Big 12 defensive player of the year. He single-handedly created or capitalized on turnovers that changed the outcome of five conference games last year.

OU football observers are wondering if Reynolds, a fourth-year junior from Las Vegas, can just stay healthy through an entire season.

"Yeah, I don't think there's any question that people doubt me," he said. "I'm looking to prove some people wrong this year."

There is legitimate cause for those concerns. In 2006, the spring after his freshman season, Reynolds sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, requiring major surgery. He redshirted the 2006 season, but in the spring of 2007 he sustained a partial tear of the lateral collateral ligament in his right knee. He was cleared to start the 2007 training camp, but played cautiously and slower last year.

"Obviously, it's an issue," said linebackers coach Brent Venables. "This was Ryan's first full-time summer, since both of the knees, that

he's been able to commit to the weight room and not have limitations on a lot of physical things that would allow him to get his strength and explosiveness and durability back. You feel like he's better than he's been in some time, health-wise.

"Although you get a six-month post-injury release, you really don't have a full recovery on severe knee injuries for a year to a year and a half. That's now for Ryan. He's looked good. Had a good summer, came back in terrific shape, has leaned up a little bit. That's a real key."

Last year, Reynolds made 60 tackles.

That included eight tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks.

But he was never 100 percent healthy. He even endured a pinched nerve in his neck that caused pain in his shoulder.

"I'm good to go," Reynolds assured. "Coming back from injuries, I've learned that I could play through the adversity and come back strong and really have a good summer."

Finally healthy, Reynolds can focus on making the transition from weakside to middle. He said the most pronounced difference is in having to cover fewer deep pass patterns by inside receivers or flexed-out tight ends.

"It's just a little different," he said, "but it plays into my strengths."

Reynolds said his goals for this season are simple: don't be so hard on himself, let go quickly of bad plays and focus on the here and now. He said moving to the middle has helped him learn every aspect of the defense, rather than just his position and the guys next to him.

"He has very few busts," said Keenan Clayton, the anticipated starter at strongside linebacker. "Whenever somebody has a question on the field and they don't know what to do or somebody's in the box and they don't know where to go, Ryan will tell them He's just got to be Ryan."

John E. Hoover 581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com

SOONER LINEBACKER CORPS

A breakdown of OU’s top LB candidates:

Middle linebacker

Ryan Reynolds, 6-1, 234, Jr.: Started 14 games at weakside LB last season (60 tackles); was a backup and special teams player in 2005 before a knee injury forced a redshirt in ‘06.
Lamont Robinson, 6-1, 226, Jr., Salem, N.J.: After redshirting in 2005, has been a reserve for two years; played in 11 games.

Brandon Crow, 6-0, 228, So., Comanche: Redshirted in 2006, then played as a reserve in four games last season.

Weakside linebacker

Mike Balogun, 6-2, 250, Jr.: Junior college transfer came to OU as a middle linebacker but made the switch after three practices

Austin Box, 6-2, 221, R-Fr.: Redshirted last season after HS All-America career at QB and FS; was a co-starter in the spring but sustained torn knee cartilage in training camp.

J.R. Bryant, 6-3, 230, Jr.: Junior college transfer enrolled last winter and competed in the spring.

Strongside linebacker

Keenan Clayton, 6-2, 220, Jr.: Moved to LB last fall after opening 2006 as the starting SS; top defensive playmaker in spring practice.

Nic Harris, 6-3, 230, Sr.: Currently the starter at SS, but if Clayton went down, Harris likely would take on more of a LB role.

Travis Lewis, 6-2, 232, R-Fr.: Redshirted 2007; has not yet shown a solid grasp of the defense.

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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