LB Reynolds applying for NCAA medical hardship: Oklahoma middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds said Tuesday he is in the process of petitioning the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility. "We're trying to get a medical (hardship) right now," Reynolds said. "It's in the process with the NCAA right now. I don't think I'll find until the end of the season." Reynolds, a fifth year senior, has suffered three major knee injuries during his time at Oklahoma. (Norman Transcript)
Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops announced Tuesday at his weekly news conference OU linebacker Austin Box will backup Ryan Reynolds at middle linebacker and freshman LB Ronnell Lewis could see playing time this Saturday.
The announcement came a day following the release of Oklahoma's depth chart and news linebacker Mike Balogun would not travel with the Sooners to compete against BYU due eligibility issues. OU's inital depth chart had Balogun listed as the backup at middle linebacker and Box listed as backup to Travis Lewis.
Third-ranked Sooners play No. 20 BYU at Dallas Cowboys Stadium this Saturday.
Team captains chosen for 2009 season: Oklahoma announced its team captains today for the 2009 football season. The captains were selected in a vote by the team. The four players accumulating the most votes were quarterback Sam Bradford, tight end Brody Eldridge, defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and linebacker Ryan Reynolds. According to head coach Bob Stoops, enough other players received considerable votes that another captain roles will rotate among a group comprised of defensive end Jeremy Beal, running back Chris Brown, fullback Matt Clapp, linebacker Keenan Clayton, Auston English, Jermaine Gresham and Trent Williams. "I appreciate the four who received the most votes and they will represent the team well," Stoops said, "but I also think it says a lot about our program that so many other players were mentioned on the ballots. We have a large pool of players who fit the role of captain and that tells me that we have a healthy and cohesive locker room." (SoonerSports PR)
Reynolds and Lewis among LBs named to Butkus award watch list: Oklahoma's Ryan Reynolds and Travis Lewis were among 35 players nominated for the 2009 Butkus Award preseason watch list Friday. The Butkus Award goes to college football's top linebacker. (Tulsa World)
2009 Butkus Award pre-season watch list Pat Angerer, Iowa Navorro Bowman, Penn State Bruce Carter, North Carolina Jamar Chaney, Mississippi Justin Cole, San Jose State Kavell Conner, Clemson Rennie Curran, Georgia Ryan D'Imperio, Rutgers A.J. Edds, Iowa Obi Ezeh, Michigan Chris Galippo, USC Darryl Gamble, Georgia Dont'a Hightower, Alabama Nate Irving, North Carolina State Micah Johnson, Kentucky Greg Jones, Michigan State Sean Lee, Penn State Travis Lewis, Oklahoma Rolando McClain, Alabama Mike McLaughlin, Boston College Rod Muckelroy, Texas Eric Norwood, South Carolina Joe Pawelek, Baylor Ryan Reynolds, Oklahoma Perry Riley, LSU Daryl Sharpton, Miami (Fla.) Malcolm Smith, USC Sean Spence, Miami (Fla.) Brandon Spikes, Florida Quan Sturdivant, North Carolina Daryl Washington, TCU Dekoda Watson, Florida State Sean Weatherspoon, Missouri Kion Wilson, South Florida Martez Wilson, Illinois
Oklahoma announces number changes: Oklahoma has announced a handful of players will change jersey numbers for 2009, including two returning starters. Dominique Franks, a junior cornerback from Tulsa, will wear No. 1 next season. He previously wore No. 15, partly in honor of his uncle, former Sooner defensive back Charles Franks. Ryan Reynolds, a senior linebacker from Las Vegas, is switching from No. 8 to No. 4. Deep snapper James Winchester changes from 46 to 86. Seven others who didn't play or were backups in 2008 also will wear new numbers. (Tulsa World)
Checkout:The Oklahoman they offer their projected 2009 depth chart.
Reynolds: I'll get a good three or four months before the season starts: Ryan Reynolds' knee is good to go. So Reynolds told the Tulsa World in a telephone interview last week. The University of Oklahoma linebacker prepares for his senior year having endured his third knee injury -- and his second ACL repair. Reynolds recently got fitted for his new knee brace and began straight-ahead running last Monday. "Then it's just progressing for the next three months," he said. "After that, I'll be cleared for May, June, July and August. I'll get a good three or four months before the season starts."(More at Tulsa World)
Stoops expects Johnson, Elridge to play Saturday: Coach Bob Stoops said he expects tight end Brody Eldridge (sprained ankle) and wide receiver Manny Johnson (dislocated elbow) to play Saturday. "Brody is likely," Stoops said. "With Manny, it's just going to be how comfortable he feels wearing the brace Thursday." (The Oklahoman)
OU Fans raise 30k for 14 Foundation Thanksgiving Food Drive: More than $30,000, a record for the event, was raised last Saturday for Josh Heupel's 14 Foundation Thanksgiving Food Drive. The drive was held prior to last Saturday's Oklahoma-Nebraska football game in Norman. As a result, some 34,000 meals will be provided for families throughout the state of Oklahoma. (More at SoonerSports.com)
Reynolds undergoes successful knee surgery: Ryan Reynolds, the middle linebacker lost to a torn knee ligament against Texas Oct. 11, underwent surgery a week ago. "It went great," OU coach Bob Stoops reported. "There were no other issues, which sometimes there are, whether it's cartilage or other ligaments. It was just the (anterior cruciate) ligament. Everything else was perfectly intact, which wasn't the case in his other surgery (in the spring of 2007). Hopefully this one will heal quicker and better." (Tulsa World)
Sooners to use Box, Balogun, Crow to replace Reynolds: Oklahoma will work former weakside linebackers Austin Box and Mike Balogun, along with backup Brandon Crow, as replacements for middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds, coach Bob Stoops said after Monday's practice."We'll work some different guys and we'll be ready to play [Saturday against Kansas]," Stoops said. "We'll experiment some. We're not going to be real detailed about it." (Star-Telegram)
Reynolds' plans to undergo rehab? Ryan Reynolds' knee injury against Texas, his third, raises the question of whether or not the junior linebacker wants to try to rehab the injury and continue his football career. "Yes," Stoops said. "Talking about it, I believe that's what his intention is. And we hope it is. I said to him, 'What the heck else you gonna do?' He loves it. "I saw him out there today, our guys are running sprints and he's over there doing sit-ups. I picked him up off the ground and said, 'What're you doing?' He said, 'Well, usually the guys that are injured do something else if they can't run.' I said, 'Well, we're going to give you an exception here for a couple days.' (Tulsa World)
Reynolds out of the season: Word started spreading along the Sooner sideline Saturday at the Cotton Bowl. And it wasn't good. Linebacker Ryan Reynolds had suffered torn knee ligaments -- again. Reynolds, termed the "glue" of the defense, is lost for the season. "I didn't know until they told me on the sideline," said freshman linebacker Travis Lewis. "I was heartbroken." (The Oklahoman)
Lewis performance: Travis Lewis recorded a career-best 19 tackles, tying Brian Bosworth (Nebraska - 1984) for the OU freshman single-game tackle record.
Bradford surpasses Grossman; breaks NCAA record: Bradford's second touchdown pass of the game set an NCAA record for most touchdown passes by a quarterback in their freshman and sophomore seasons with 56. Bradford broke Rex Grossman's (Florida) previous NCAA mark of 55 in his first two years with the Gators (2000-2001).
Cooper and McCoy update: Oklahoma hopes to have defensive tackle Gerald McCoy and center Jon Cooper healthy for Saturday's showdown with Texas, after the two were hurt (McCoy injured his toe and Cooper sprained his knee) at Baylor over the weekend. Asked Sunday if McCoy was all right, OU coach Bob Stoops said: "We'll see. I believe so, but I've yet to get a report from our trainer." Asked about Cooper, OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said: "I talked to Scott (Anderson, the Sooners' head athletics trainer) and I think he's going to be pretty good... I expect Jon to go. I don't think it's a big deal, but we'll sense more tomorrow and see how it is." (Tulsa World)
Reynolds' perfect game: Middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds made a season high 14 tackles against Baylor, including two for losses. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables said it was about as good a game as one of his linebackers has ever played. "He graded out at 100 percent. I don't know that I've ever had that before," he said of Reynold's performance. "I tried to be very nit-picky and he graded out at 100 percent. He does a lot out there. I thought after the game that he played very well and it only confirmed watching the video." (Norman Transcript)
Lewis Baker starts in place of Ryan Reynolds: Weakside linebacker Ryan Reynolds, a pass coverage target of OU's last two opponents, was replaced by former safety Lewis Baker to start Saturday's game. Reynolds did come on during Missouri's second possession, and spent most of the rest of the game blitzing Missouri QB Chase Daniel. (Tulsa World)
Former All-American Brahaney honored at halftime: Oklahoma honored former All-American center Tom Brahaney at halftime. Brahaney will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on Dec. 4. Brahaney anchored the OU offensive line during the heyday of the wishbone. He becomes the 18th Sooner enshrined in the hall. Oklahoma's last inductee was Joe Washington in 2005. Other notable 2007 inductees include Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie, Oregon wide receiver Ahmad Rashad and Penn State coach Joe Paterno. (NewsOK.com)
Recruits in town for OU-Missouri:More than three dozen recruits, including Muskogee wide receiver Jameel Owens, were on hand for Saturday's game. Only six were on official campus visits -- one was quarterback Landry Jones from Artesia, N.M., who's already given OU a verbal commitment. OU coach Bob Stoops spent several minutes prior to pregame warmups speaking with Jeff Fuller, a verbal commitment from McKinney, Texas. (Tulsa World)
C. Brown sees limited action: Redshirt freshman running back DeMarco Murray said he had his carries limited against Missouri because of a left foot injury. Murray had a team-high 17 carries for 128 yards and an electrifying 65-yard touchdown run in a win over Texas last week. But against Missouri, he had only four carries for 2 yards. "All last week, my foot was bothering me. It's a bruised bone or something like that," Murray said. "I really didn't practice as much as I usually do. It was hurting every time I got tackled." (Dallas Morning News)
Thin air no excuse in OU's Colorado loss, Stoops says: It's been suggested that one reason for OU's second-half collapse at Folsom Field was because the Sooners fell victim to the thin air in the 5,335-feet altitude. A few tired players making a few sloppy mistakes, perhaps? "That's ridiculous. That makes no sense," Bob Stoops said. "Why would that be? I don't get that. Offense wasn't tired. They were fresh as a daisy. On (46) plays? No. That's not accurate." "The altitude had some affect," said offensive tackle Trent Williams, who platooned on an offense that ran just 46 plays. "But I don't think it affected our play that much." (Tulsa World)
Switzer's XM radio show broadcasting from the Cotton Bowl: Former OU coach Barry Switzer and T.J. Rives will have special editions of their XM satellite radio sports show (channel 144) from 5-8 a.m. Friday and 9-11 a.m. Saturday from outside the Cotton Bowl. XM also will carry the OU-Texas game. (NewsOK.com)
Baker may sub for less than 100% Reynolds: Defensive coordinator Brent Venables said he might sub starting strongside linebacker Lewis Baker for weakside Ryan Reynolds more to give Reynolds some rest.Venables said Reynolds, who missed part of the spring and was limited during two-a-days after undergoing knee surgery, was hurting late against Colorado. Venables did put Baker in, but said he probably should have done it earlier. (Star-Telegram)
Oklahoma coach Stoops avoids replay talk: Two Oklahoma pass plays in Saturday's 27-24 loss to Colorado were reviewed by the replay booth during the second half. And both calls eventually went against the Sooners. OU coach Bob Stoops refrained from commenting on either play. "I'm not gonna get into it,” he said. "What's that gonna do?” (NewsOK.com)
OU's Ryan Reynolds "fine": OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables said linebacker Ryan Reynolds is "fine" after playing through a shoulder injury Saturday. "He's just a little bit sore," Venables said. Reynolds had numbness in his right arm after getting hit by another player's helmet. (NewsOK.com)
Kevin Wilson: On OU's offensive performance against Colorado: OU had seven second-half possessions against the Buffs, none longer than five plays. A Sooners' offense that had averaged 562.3 yards per game finished with 230. "We had been playing so well," OU offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said, "but our execution was just off, and it hasn't been that way." (Dallas Morning News)
Stoops on the Red River Rivalry after losses: When asked if the losses [OU and Texas, Saturday] detract from Saturday's showdown, Sooner coach Bob Stoops dryly responded: "I don't know how it could add." (Norman Transcript)
Former Sooners' coach Mike Stoops hospitalized: Before kickoff, Bob Stoops acknowledged he was concerned about the health of his younger brother. Arizona coach Mike Stoops, who once served as OU’s defensive coordinator, was hospitalized Friday in Tucson for what was diagnosed as a problem with kidney stones. Stoops was scheduled to be on the sideline Saturday night when Arizona hosts Washington State. Bob Stoops said he didn’t know about his brother’s medical problem until after he read about it in a newspaper. "I called him, and he said he’s been in a lot of pain," Bob Stoops said. (Tulsa World)
Stoops on OU's loss: "They outplayed us and outcoached us in the second half," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said. "It's disappointing. We're not a very smart football team right now." (Dallas Morning News)
Reynolds expected to have X-rays today: Oklahoma linebacker Ryan Reynolds played most of the fourth quarter with numbness in his right shoulder after getting hit with a helmet Saturday. "I'll get X-rays (Sunday),” Reynolds said. "Hopefully nothing's wrong with it. It just went numb, couldn't move it.” At times, Reynolds struggled to lift his arm and trainers inspected the shoulder nearly every time he came off the field. (NewsOK.com)
OU starting QB job not about arm strength: "It's not about how hard you throw it," Finley said. "It's about whether you get it there on time. Jason White couldn't throw the ball near as hard as Keith can, but Jason put it there, right where it needed to be, right on time." (NewsOK.com)
McEachern expected to quit team: Stoops said he might be auditioning holders for extra points and field goals this fall after fourth-string quarterback Hays McEachern -- the team's holder as a sophomore all of last season -- informed him this summer that he plans to quit football. "Hays, right now, is thinking he's not going to play this year," Stoops said. "He's getting a little older and is concentrating on his school work. I'm hoping he'll change his mind, but right now, that's not likely." (NewsOK.com)
Reynolds recovery on time:Stoops said he expects linebacker Ryan Reynolds to be ready to start the season. Reynolds missed last season after tearing his ACL just after the completion of spring practice and then underwent more surgery on an LCL injury this spring. (Dallas Morning News)
Former OU player Quinn Arrested: Montana lineman J.D. Quinn, who transferred from Oklahoma after being kicked off the team there, was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. Montana coach Bobby Hauck didn't release details Monday of the junior offensive lineman's arrest, saying only that disciplinary action will be taken. "As always, there will be firm disciplinary measures taken, and those measures will be handled within our football team," Hauck said in a statement. "One of the disciplinary actions will include mandatory alcohol counseling." Missoula Police Lt. Mike Brady said Quinn was pulled over for speeding at 2:39 a.m. Sunday. Police records said Quinn was going 44 mph in a 35 mph zone. (ESPN.com) Weeks ago, you might recall Quinn telling KFOR's Brian Brinkley get a REAL job.
Reynolds Injured during Practice: As posted March 29 Ryan Reynolds Injured.. Oklahoma linebacker Ryan Reynolds found himself in a familiar position Wednesday -- watching from the sideline. The sophomore from Las Vegas said he suffered a partially torn lateral collateral ligament in his right knee during Wednesday's practice. Reynolds tore the ACL in his left knee last summer and missed the 2006 season, but the LCL injury is expected to keep Reynolds out just four to six weeks. "It's really frustrating, just coming back and being able to hit again, then having this happen and being out for the rest of spring ball," Reynolds said. "I was really starting to take on that Will (weakside) linebacker position." (NewsOK.com) (3.29.07) UPDATE: Rehab going well: The gray skies of this Oklahoma summer contradict the mood surrounding Ryan Reynolds' recovery from knee surgery. The Oklahoma linebacker says, "It doesn't even feel like I injured it," and Jim Hillis, OU's Coordinator of Rehabilitation says, "The surgery went extremely well and right now he’s as good as he could possibly be." Reynolds said the LCL tear actually hurt a lot more than the ACL, even though the latter is a more severe injury. "The LCL is a very repairable injury," Hillis pointed out. "It's not common, but it's easier to repair (than an ACL tear)." Beginning the week of July 1, Reynolds, who has been working in the weight room and running straight-line drills, will get the green light to run laterally and make cuts. In recovery from knee surgery, that is the last hurdle. "I feel like I am way ahead of schedule," he said. "The ACL recovery was a lot more difficult. This is night and day. I feel like I will be just as fast as I was before, but I'm not in shape yet. That will take about a month." (More at SoonerSports.com) (6.29.07)
OU's Harris on Lott Watch List: University of Oklahoma defensive back Nic Harris has been named to the preseason watch list for the 2007 Ronnie Lott Trophy.Harris, a junior from Alexandria, La., played nickel back and strong safety last season and is expected to line up exclusively at strong safety this season. He is one of 42 defenders on the watch list.Harris was third on the OU team last season with 68 tackles and led the Sooners with four interceptions. (Tulsa World) Injury Report; Reynold out atleast four month, Madu spained ankle: Oklahoma linebacker Ryan Reynolds is set to have surgery on the torn lateral collateral ligament in his right knee today and might be out at least four months The early diagnosis of the injury, which occurred Wednesday, was a partially torn LCL that would require only four to six weeks of rehabilitation... Norman native Mossis Madu, who has worked himself into some playing time both at running back and slot receiver for the Sooners, suffered a high left ankle sprain Monday. (From NewsOK.com) Stoops confident in LB core: Personnel has changed. Expectations have not. "It's coming," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "The guys that have looked the best have a chance to be a really, really good group. Ryan Reynolds and Curtis Lofton inside and Demarrio Pleasant and Lewis (Baker), who's played a ton out on the perimeter, those guys are solid. "The other guys, it's just learning everything. They're getting better. Mike Reed is doing a good job, and Lamont (Robinson) is getting better. It just takes some time, takes a lot of snaps." (Tulsa World) Class of '08 Recruit Arrested: Justin Johnson, a Gilmer, Texas, running back who has verbally committed to play at Oklahoma in 2008, was one of three people who voluntarily surrendered to police last Thursday for misdemeanor criminal mischief warrants, according to a report Saturday in the Longview (Texas) News-Journal. Johnson, the No. 2-rated running back in Texas, Arsenial Richardson and Dean Griffith have confessed to spray painting various marks on at least one car Feb. 24. The investigation is ongoing and the Upshur County sheriff's office anticipates charging the multiple juvenile offenders with crimes associated with these acts. (NewsOK.com) Go Inside OU Spring Practice No. 10: SoonerSports.com Sooners no longer have lone distinction: The Oklahoman Table Set for Red-White event: Ada Evening News
Oklahoma Sooner Football Articles and Notes Reynolds Injured during Practice: Oklahoma linebacker Ryan Reynolds found himself in a familiar position Wednesday -- watching from the sideline. The sophomore from Las Vegas said he suffered a partially torn lateral collateral ligament in his right knee during Wednesday's practice. Reynolds tore the ACL in his left knee last summer and missed the 2006 season, but the LCL injury is expected to keep Reynolds out just four to six weeks. "It's really frustrating, just coming back and being able to hit again, then having this happen and being out for the rest of spring ball," Reynolds said. "I was really starting to take on that Will (weakside) linebacker position." (NewsOK.com)
Reynolds will be cleared to practice? Sophomore linebacker Ryan Reynolds, out since the spring with a torn knee ligament, is working out in pads and will be cleared to practice on Nov. 23, defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. (Tulsa World) Sooners in the Pros -- Week 10: SoonerSports.com
