RYAN DIRTEATER SAID "those guys were too big for me" in high school football.

But, he apparently has no problem whatsoever in tangling with a 2,000-pound bull.

"Well, the point is to stay on the back of that bull so he can't get to you," said Dirteater.

Dirteater, a 20-year-old cowboy from Hulbert, is one of the best young riders in the Professional Bullriders Association and will ride in the PBR U.S. Border Patrol Invitational opening Friday at the BOK Center.

The event continues through Sunday and marks the return of Dirteater, a 2008 graduate of Hulbert High School, to the series after an injury forced him to the sidelines.

"It's been a while since I've been on one of those bulls," said Dirteater. "I've been sitting around and watching a lot of television. About all I could do at first was work out my upper body. I was walking like a duck.

"I've been able to start doing some jogging. It feels pretty good."

Dirteater has been at home in Hulbert for four months since a freak accident with a bull at a PBR event in Tacoma. A bull stumbled coming out of the chute and fell on Dirteater, breaking his leg.

"Right after it happened the doctor told me it was a four- to six-month deal," said Dirteater. "I looked at a calendar and saw that Tulsa was four months away.

"So, I've been aiming for this for a long time. Not only is it my hometown event, the closest we get to Hulbert in the series, but it is my return from injury."

Dirteater's return is big news for the PBR. He has been one of the fastest rising stars on the series, reaching the National Finals last season as a rookie although he participated in just six series events.

Then, he got off to a quick start this season, his first full season on the Built Ford Tough Series, the major leagues of bull riding.

"It was bad when I got hurt," he said. "I was like a little kid that had his toys taken away, not being able to get up on those bulls.

"I was just so disappointed when I got hurt. I felt like I was on top of my game when I got hurt. But, things happen for a reason and now I'm ready to get back out there."

Dirteater won the Dickies Invitational in Dallas in January and followed it up with a 92-point ride in the Express Classic in Oklahoma City.

At one point earlier this season, he was second on the season money list. When he was injured in March, he was seventh in money.

Even though he hasn't ridden in four months, he's still 16th on the money list with $104,042.

In his limited time this season, he has ridden in 15 events with one victory and six top-10s.

"I understand injuries," he said. "In this sport, injuries are always out there. They are going to happen. You never know when they are going to happen so you just go out there and ride.

"It is a pretty simple game. You get on the back of a bull, nod your head and hope a little magic happens. You do a little dance with the bull."

Dirteater is one of the young guns in the sport. He turned pro when he turned 18 years old, the minimum age for a PBR rider. He got his permit and started riding.

"That's the only way you can do it in this sport," he said. "It is tough. You get in your truck and start driving. You ride and then drive all night to the next rodeo and ride again.

"Everyone does it. You have to work your way up."

For Dirteater, it has not been a long trip. He rode in just six events at the end of last season and still qualified for the National Finals.

"That was a big deal for me," he said.

Then, he came out this season and had one of the best starts of any rider before his injury in March.

"This is what I've always wanted to do," said Dirteater.

He's barely a year out of Hulbert High School but is making a mark in his chosen sport.

"I tried football, but those guys were too big for me," said Dirteater. "I tried basketball, but those guys were too tall.

"I did get into wrestling and liked it. But, I had to miss some things for rodeo. So, rodeoing is my sport. I'm having a blast. I can't wait to get back out there."