NORMAN — Oklahoma’s Austin Box was the picture of health when practice began last week. For one of the few times in his career, nothing was inhibiting him. He felt like a football player should at the dawn of a new season.
“It’s the first time, since I’ve been here, that I’ve gone and participated in the full winter, spring and summer workouts without any injuries. I feel really good,” he said. “It’s probably the best I’ve felt since I’ve been here.”
Where that puts Box, a junior, is the question as the Sooners head into the 2010 season. There haven’t been many opportunities to see what the linebacker can do when he’s completely healthy.
Knee, elbow and back injuries have conspired to keep him out of games and out of practice. It’s the reason why he enters his junior season fighting for a starting spot at linebacker.
Weakside linebacker Travis Lewis knows how the injuries have impacted Box. Back in August of 2008, it was Box who was ready to break into a starting role until a knee forced him to the sideline.
“If he didn’t get hurt when I was a freshman, he would have been our starting linebacker,” Lewis said. “There’s a lot of what ifs with Box, but I think he’s put those behind him and he’s ready to go out there and prove himself.”
Box views this season in the same fashion and defensive coordinator Brent Venables has seen why.
“I’m very, very, extremely confident in what he’s doing on the field,” Venables said.
So where does that leave Box?
He hopes in that starting role that seemed to be in the cards two years ago before injuries and the emergence of Lewis changed his direction. Box entered August as OU’s No. 2 middle linebacker behind redshirt freshman Tom Wort. Five of Box’s six career starts have been at the position, although he’s well versed in both outside linebacker spots.
But Box expects this season to be different. Throughout the last six months, he’s felt like the impact player OU expected him to be when he signed out of Enid High School back in 2007.
“It has been a roller coaster,” Box said. “But I feel like my role is to contribute to the team in any way possible. Whether it is a back up at a couple of positions, contribute on special teams or in any other capacity.”
Staying healthy is part of football. Some are blessed enough to make it through each season with nothing more than the basic aches and pains. Others aren’t so fortunate. Box has firmly been in the latter group for the last two seasons.
Even Venables admits sometimes he forgets how tough it’s been for Box. Prior to OU’s first preseason practice, he had each of his linebackers tell a story about themselves. Box brought up what he’s had to deal with.
“I’m knocking on wood for him,” Venables said. “But he’s had a bunch of nicks since he’s been here and he’s been healthy now for a good while and he came back in terrific shape.”
All the pieces appear to be in the place for the junior. He’s finally able to preseason with optimism.
“Up until now I felt like I’ve been putting all of those pieces of the puzzle together,” he said. “I guess I can say now is when I really felt like I’m where I need to be as far as health is concerned.”
John Shinn 366-3536 jshinn@normantranscript.com
