As far as Oklahoma is concerned Ryan Broyles has nothing to say. The redshirt freshman receiver hasn’t been available to the media since practice began.
But that hasn’t stopped him from becoming a major preseason topic.
“Every day we go to practice it seems like he has some kind of highlight,” Sooner quarterback Sam Bradford said. “About the time I am whining that I can’t believe I threw that, he catches it, throws some unreal moves on a DB and makes a great play out of it. He is very quick and he is going to be a great player for us.”
The former Norman High standout has been OU’s guarded secret since last season. Coaches and players were saying similar things last August.
Broyles opened a lot of eyes when he first put on pads. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound receiver brought a trait OU’s offense had been missing in recent years. He was a guy who could take a 5-yard pass and turn it into a 50-yard gain.
Mark Clayton, who remains the Sooners’ all-time leading receiver in just about every statistical category, was famous for turning short passes into big plays and Broyles has the same attributes.
Even OU coach Bob Stoops, who likes to throw around comparisons about as much as he likes losing, couldn’t help but link Broyles to one of his former players.
“He’s one of the first guys since Mark Clayton that really reminds you of Mark Clayton with the moves, the change in direction, the burst he has,” Stoops said. “He has a chance if he keeps working the way he has.”
OU quarterbacks coach, Josh Heupel, gets similar flashbacks when he sees Broyles on the field.
“Those words are the same ones that came out of my mouth in a quarterback meeting not too long ago. We’re really excited,” Heupel said.
The excitement over Broyles could have been just as big last season. The reason why Broyles hasn’t been allowed to talk the media is that he’s yet to take the field.
There’s no doubt he was on pace to do so until the day before last season opened. He was arrested while attempting to steal gas from a Norman gas station. Instead of playing as a true freshman, he was sent to the scout team.
Broyles still managed to draw raves in that capacity. He was the stand in for West Virginia quarterback Pat White during Fiesta Bowl practices. The days in the doghouse appear to be behind him.
“He had his issue and we dealt with it,” Stoops said.
But that talent remains a secret to most OU fans. A broken collar bone kept him out most of spring drills. The last time he really played in front of a live audience was his senior year at Norman High.
“You didn’t get to see everything that we’re getting to see now,” Heupel said.
In 15 days, OU opens the season against Tennessee-Chattanooga at Owen Field. After a year behind the curtains, those, “you have to see it to believe it,” might finally be for pulic consumption.
The secret may soon be out.
John Shinn
366-3536
jshinn@normantranscript.com
OU Sports
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Broyles a hot topic once again
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