Horning: Ryan Broyles has something

By Clay Horning
The Norman Transcript

August 21, 2007 12:45 am

— Maybe this is what they say about the Norman High guys. A year ago this time, they were singing Mossis Madu’s praises and I’m not sure if he’s third, fourth or fifth team today.
On the other hand, maybe the Sooners are just crazy deep in the backfield; so maybe this Ryan Broyles character, who waited until something like 4 a.m. the night (morning?) before signing day to choose between Norman and Stillwater, really might play for Oklahoma, maybe as soon as Sept. 1.
Like Madu a year ago, Broyles, 6-1 and just 170 pounds, has been drawing compliments. Just maybe, there’s more to it this time around.
“He’s just one of those guys who’s got a knack,” Sooner offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said.
As a reminder, recall the time he spent terrorizing opponents at Harve Collins Field. And that really is the word, because it wasn’t so much how Ryan Broyles might beat you, as much as it was all the different ways your tiniest misjudgment might allow him to beat you. That is, he was never more scary than when he was being anticipated, before the snap.
As a return man, a receiver, a defensive back, a running back … He did everything but sell popcorn at halftime.
So, late in the process, the offer finally comes in from OU and, after going back and forth and back and forth and back and forth, he took it.
Then, last week, receivers coach Kevin Sumlin said, in so many words, Broyles would rather play than practice.
(The actual quote: “He’s a guy who likes to play football. He wasn’t much for any of that other stuff the first week of practice. So we got a little sideways because of drills and other stuff.” Asked about it Saturday, Sumlin told me Broyles was only having the same issues many freshmen have upon reaching the next level)
And not long after that, there was Wilson, offering compliments. And the most interesting thing is how Wilson pays those compliments.
Broyles has “a knack.”
Broyles has “a uniqueness.”
“To me,” Wilson said. “You can just tell the guys that have played ball.”
Haven’t they all played ball?
Some guys are playing Nintendo, said Wilson. Others are in their backyard playing ball.
The result?
Even if Broyles is short on practice, he’s long on seasoning.
“He has,” said Wilson, “a feel.”
He doesn’t have imposing size or strength. And while very swift in Class 6A, it’s hard to know where Broyles’ speed will place him in the Big 12.
“He can catch the ball. He’s got some good feet,” said Adron Tennell, the Sooners’ best receiver in their final preseason scrimmage. “He’s got to get the plays down. I know it’s kind of hard, but he’s got to learn them.”
Coincidence, or does Tennell sound just like Sumlin?
It’s only been a few short weeks and Broyles might not play a down this season but the hometown kid has managed to make himself noticed.
“Sometimes you just get a guy,” Wilson said, “and you say, ‘That guy’s a player.’”
Broyles is that guy.
We’ll see how it turns out.
Clay Horning
366-3526
cfhorning@normantranscript.com

Photos