What's up with Broyles?

By Jeff Johncox
The Norman Transcript

January 31, 2007 01:14 am

— Norman High standout receiver and defensive back Ryan Broyles has reportedly made a decision.
According to scout.com, Broyles has verbally committed to Oklahoma, with Broyles own quotes backing up the story. He was previously committed to Oklahoma State, but reportedly said Tuesday he was looking forward to joining friend and former NHS teammate Mossis Madu as a Sooner.
But Broyles’ high school coach, Butch Peters, told The Transcript Tuesday night that the wide receiver/defensive back prospect still hadn’t made up his mind, despite the Internet report that came out earlier in the day.
Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy met with Broyles Tuesday, according to Peters. If other media reports are true, he would have had to return from an out-of-state recruiting trip to make the visit.
“Ryan is just Ryan,” Peters said. “I spoke to him (Tuesday) and he said he was going to meet with coach Gundy and think about things. I guess that will determine what Ryan’s going to do.”
Tuesday afternoon, OU Insider ran a full interview with Broyles. In it, Broyles sounds fully committed to the Sooners.
“I just felt like that I have ‘Jr.’ (Madu) here and I am right here in Norman with my parents,” Broyles said in the interview. “I guess, in the beginning, I wanted to go to OU because I have always liked OU. But in the end, there are even more important reasons why I am going to OU.”
Broyles had 44 catches for 908 yards and eight touchdowns his senior year for NHS. He also carried the ball out of the backfield for the Tigers, rushing 77 times for 345 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Broyles also tied for second in the state with six interceptions and was third among Tigers with 68 tackles. He was also a very dangerous kick returner.
Broyles said he was recruited to play receiver for the Sooners, and was looking forward to the roll he could play in the OU offense.
“They do reverses and trick plays like that, so I guess I fit in (at slot receiver),” Broyles said. “I can even throw the ball a little bit.”
Broyles also addressed how difficult it was telling the Oklahoma State staff that he would no longer be playing college ball in Stillwater.
“That was definitely tough. I had committed to them and I have been talking to them all year,” Broyles said. “There are still feelings there really so it was a tough decision.”
The 6-foot, 170-pound Broyles is ranked by Rivals.com as the fourth-best prospect in the state.
Rivals ranks him as a four-star recruit and had him listed Tuesday as an OU commitment.
The Transcript tried to reach Broyles several times on his cell phone Tuesday night, but he did not answer, nor did he return the calls.
Jeff Johncox366-3535jjohncox@normantranscript.com