On Saturday night in Norman, Okla., one player stood out, dazzled defenders and put on a show. He caught 15 passes, amassed 150 yards and scored all three of Oklahoma’s passing touchdowns in a 38-28 win over Missouri.
His name is Ryan Broyles. Odds are you’ve heard of him. Odds are better that you haven’t heard enough.
The Oklahoma senior wide receiver was not just a man but a monster on the field that night, and he did it all with the bulls-eye placed promptly between the 8 and the 5 on the back of his jersey. Missouri’s secondary, like many that have lined up against the Oklahoma star, was more than aware of his abilities and repertoire coming into the contest. Nothing it did all night would ever be good enough.
Broyles is used to it. With career marks of 300 receptions, 3,796 yards and 42 total touchdowns, he’s made a college career full of making plays, crossing the end zone and supplying a 3D edge to Oklahoma’s top-notch spread passing game.
My question is: When are people going to take notice? I mean… _really_ notice?
For the past few years, college receivers have been the talk of college towns around the country: AJ Green and Julio Jones last season. Justin Blackmon, Michael Floyd and Alshon Jeffery this season. Broyles has consistently been a throw-in with those names, as if to strengthen the field or to start another tier.
It’s not enough to simply add him to the discussion. Broyles is not a word that can be tossed around, snuck in late or supplied for good measure.
Broyles is so much more than a household name or a mug shot to slap on a page of “X-Factors.” It’s an entire identity in today’s brand of college football. It will soon be as much in the game’s history books as well.
Broyles entered his final collegiate season in search of 51 more receptions to break the NCAA Division 1 record of 316. Four games in, he’s 17 catches away. It’s no longer a question of if, but when.
If Broyles is able to match his production from last season’s 1,622-yard performance, he’ll hold the D-1 career yardage record as well. He’ll need 1,210 yards in the final 10 games to reach that history.
Broyles isn’t AJ Green, Michael Floyd, Alshon Jeffery or Julio Jones. When it comes to college football, he’s something much more, even if not as flashy.
Broyles returned for his senior season because his NFL Draft stock didn’t quite reflect his college production. At 5 feet, 10 inches and 185 pounds, he’s not the biggest player on the field. He’s not the fastest. He’s not the most athletically feared. He hasn’t needed to be.
Broyles’ ability to out-perform his genetic prognosis is another chapter in the story of his legend. You don’t have to laud his skills or love his build. But you better be content in watching him reel in passes, provide the needed spark and engage in a post-touchdown celebration.
You don’t have to take my word for it. Check the statistics. View the records. Watch the man.
I promise you won’t be disappointed.