Reynolds’ whirlwind weekend leads star LB to Oklahoma

Nick Christensen

Monday, Jan. 17, 2005 | 8:23 a.m.

His college decision made, Ryan Reynolds knew that his national television appearance Saturday would for certain be the first of many.

A Bishop Gorman linebacker and the Sun All-State defensive player of the year for 2004, Reynolds was riding the bus to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl when he talked by telephone about his college plans.

"Oklahoma," he said. "It just feels like the place that fits the most. I feel the most comfortable with it and feel like I'll have a good time playing at."

In Reynolds, the Sooners pick up a 6-foot-2, 220-pound linebacker who had 96 tackles last season.

He went through a whirlwind weekend in San Antonio, first receiving the Walter Payton Trophy for the fastest, strongest and most dedicated player in the country then playing in the Alamodome before a national TV audience.

"Playing with the best players from around the country, it's been a great experience," he said. "There were four other finalists (for the Payton award) that I thought for sure would have been ahead of me."

Reynolds also made his college decision, which he announced during NBC's telecast Saturday morning.

From the bus on the way to the game, Reynolds said UCLA and Wisconsin came up just short.

"It was hard to make a decision," he said. "Every place you go to has something a little different to offer you. I had to sit down and talk to my parents and make sure everyone agreed. Oklahoma came up as the place that worked best."

Gorman coach David White, who was a member of the West team coaching staff at the All-American Bowl, said Reynolds had a tough time saying no to the runners-up.

"Late in the recruiting process, he met a couple guys and got attached. They're difficult to say no to," White said.

Having made his decision after being recruited by those schools plus Florida, Louisiana State and Notre Dame, Reynolds said he was ready to move ahead.

"It's like a weight off your shoulders," he said. "I'm looking forward to training the rest of the year and enrolling in the summer."