Norman -
Ryan Broyles is making progress in his recovery from surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament that ended his OU career four games early.
Broyles spoke to the media Tuesday as the Sooners prepare for a showdown with third-ranked Oklahoma State in Stillwater.
Broyles says he has no regrets on returning to Oklahoma for his senior season.
"I've grown a lot since last season and really made some big steps in my life," he says. "One of those being, I now have a fiancé. I think that if I had gone to the NFL, things would've been thrown at me and I wouldn't have been mature enough. So, I have no regrets at all."
Even though he's sidelined, Broyles is still playing a part for the 10th-ranked Sooners.
"I'm still coaching the guys up, and out there at practice doing rehab for the first half and coaching the guys in the second half of practice," he says. "I still help them with play calls and want to know when guys mess up. I give them my two cents here and there. They just look to me to get out there on the field and not just talk about football, but having that sideline personality."
Broyles says, despite the number of injuries the team has suffered this season, losing leading rusher Dominique Whaley, himself and the latest being defensive end Ronnell Lewis, the Sooners will still be a formidable opponent for the Cowboys this Saturday.
"It does stink not being able to play the rest of the season," he says. "But, I think our guys have a good level of perspective on their heads and going into this last game, that's where it helps out."
Broyles says he is seeing improvement and is off the crutches following his ACL surgery. It's expected he will not be able to participate in drills during the NFL combine leading up to the 2012 NFL Draft in April.
