An impossible recovery: Oklahoma State fullback Kye Staley

Coaches still remember the practice. Without hesitation, players can recall the exact play. For those on the field that day, it was hard to forget the sound.

Quarterback Brandon Weeden handed the ball off and couldn't even carry out his progression.

"I heard the scream and you knew it was bad," Weeden said. "That was one of the worst sounds I've heard in my life."

Running back Kye Staley lay on the field, unable to get up. His season, and likely his football career, was in serious jeopardy.

"I knew something was wrong," Staley said. "And I just started crying."

***

Fall camp is winding down, classes begin on Monday and the Cowboys are about to play their final scrimmage.

Newly-renovated Boone Pickens Stadium is being prepped for a nationally televised game between OSU and Georgia. The 2009 football season is just two weeks away.

Wide receiver Dez Bryant has captured the national attention. Quarterback Zac Robinson is featured on an upcoming Sports Illustrated cover.

So this Saturday's scrimmage doesn't mean much to these established stars; just another day under the hot Oklahoma sun.

But for some players, it's an important chance to make an impression.

Like running back Kye Staley, a big-time recruit from nearby Guthrie. The five-star Under Armour All-American was looked at by top schools such as LSU and Oklahoma, but chose to play in Stillwater.

Now, after redshirting his first season, Staley believes he is ready to live up to the hype.

"I was in the best shape of my life," Staley said. "A solid 215 (pounds), strong and ready to go."

And it was showing. After an impressive spring game, Staley was turning heads with a great fall camp.

He planned to cap it off in the final scrimmage. Another opportunity to show coaches he was ready to split time behind starting tailback Kendall Hunter.

"It was a hot day, and I was doing a lot of special teams too," Staley said. "I was pretty worn out and coach asked me if I wanted Travis Miller, another back, to go in and I said no. Even though I was pretty tired, I wanted to show them I could fight through."

So Staley jogged out to the huddle, and third-string quarterback Brandon Weeden made the call – a 4-14 stretch play to the right.

"I tried to make a back shoulder cut on a linebacker (Patrick Lavine) and he grabbed me and twisted me around," Staley said. "As I was being turned, (defensive tackle) Chris Donaldson hit me low and everything just tore."

It was over in an instant. Thoughts of a breakout season turned to questions about whether he would walk correctly again.

The once-promising star got the MRI results from his right leg – torn MCL, PCL, meniscus, hamstring and calf muscle, as well as nerve damage.

"It was about as significant a knee injury as you can find," coach Mike Gundy said. "I thought it was 100 percent chance he would never be back."

***

Sunlight peaks through the blinds and voices rumble through the dormitory hallways.

Classes are back in session, students have flooded the campus and the energy around Stillwater has picked up.

It's the dream scenario for someone who just turned 19. But Kye Staley can barely get out of bed.

Tasks that were once simple now put a heavy burden on the imposing athlete and his surgically-repaired knee.

"I couldn't even walk to the fridge and get myself a drink," Staley said. "It was tough because my mom raised me to be an independent person, but I had to rely on other people for almost everything."

His leg remained in a cast for nearly two months.

Navigating around campus on crutches became a burden, so the school allowed him to take online classes. Didn't matter; not with the mindset he had.

"I just failed everything. I honestly didn't care," Staley said. "My attitude was so crappy, and I was so mad. I broke down almost every day."