Reynolds aims to be the best

Nick Christensen

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005 | 9:30 a.m.

Ask David White about Ryan Reynolds' drive for success, and it almost sounds as if the Bishop Gorman coach is speaking in hyperbole.

"He was frustrated with himself. He felt like he wasn't doing enough to win," White said of his star linebacker. "He felt he was supposed to have 20 tackles a game. He put too much pressure on himself."

This, from a kid who earlier this year visited Florida, UCLA, Oklahoma and Louisiana State and is being actively recruited by Notre Dame and Wisconsin.

"I think it's not a fear of his, but he wants to make sure he doesn't let anybody down, or himself," White said. "He always wants to try and improve on himself. He's such a self-motivator."

Reynolds seems to excel in everything he attempts. He was a national junior champion in judo. In his sophomore season at Lake Havasu City, Ariz., he placed fourth at the state wrestling meet and is now helping to revive Gorman's grappling program. As a hockey player, Reynolds developed skills that White said helped him with his balance and defensive redirection.

But it all comes back to football, where Reynolds, at 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, was the terror of the Southwest Division at outside linebacker.

"He had almost identical stats from last year. He had a few more forced fumbles and recoveries, he wishes he had more tackles," White said. "What we didn't realize until after the season, he had 75 less defensive plays this year."

Reynolds also had quality help this year, with David Hammond at middle linebacker and DeAngelo Wilkinson at cornerback. Hammond had 72 tackles, and his presence inside prompted White to move Reynolds to the perimeter. As for Reynolds' expectations for himself, White persuaded him to put his visits on hiatus and just worry about this season.

"He canceled all his visits and had fun playing and cut loose and had a great year," White said.

Not only did he help propel the Gaels to the Sunset Region semifinals, he also earned first-team All-USA from USA Today and will play Saturday in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl at San Antonio's Alamodome. He's a finalist for the Walter Payton Trophy, an award that goes to the "fastest, strongest and most dedicated high school football player" in the country, according to a release.

He'll find out if he's the winner of the Payton Trophy on Friday at San Antonio, at which time he also expects to announce his college choice.