By Bruce Campbell

Staff Writer

NORMAN — Ryan Reynolds smiles when asked what his first goal is this year as a linebacker for the University of Oklahoma.

How about no injuries?

The Las Vegas native who came to OU in 2006 as the No.2 -ranked linebacker in the country according to ESPN.com has spent more time in rehab than on the field with the Sooners.

He has had surgery on both of his knees.

He had a torn ACL just after the completion of spring practice in 2006 and underwent more surgery on an LCL injury last spring.

“I’m definitely chomping at the bit,’’ said Reynolds during the Sooners’ recent Media Day. “I think I’m out of injuries right now.’’

Actually, he has found a knee can be stronger after surgery with the proper rehab.

“The left leg (one with ACL reconstruction) is stronger than it was the year before,’’ Reynolds said. “I’m hoping that’s true with the other knee.’’

The injury might have been a blessing in disguise. Reynolds now has an opportunity to start three years at the weakside linebacker spot instead of two.

That doesn’t ease the pain of past injuries.

“It’s definitely hard,’’ he said. “I much rather been out there last year. At least, I would have had the opportunity to play a little bit. It was real hard standings on the sidelines knowing I had an opportunity to play.’’

Reynolds, though, got through the mental pain as well as the physical.

“You try not to have that ‘why me?’ attitude,’’ he said. “I just tried to get after it after rehab and try to get stronger.’’

Reynolds goes from being one of OU’s youngest linebackers to the oldest after the graduation of starters Rufus Alexander and Zach Latimer.

“Nothing’s really changed for me,’’ Reynolds said. “We all worker harder now knowing we have to step up and fill their shoes.’’

His right leg, the one operated in the spring, got “fatigued quicker than the other leg,’’ early in fall practice, he said. He expected that to go away with time.

He is the roommate of Kingfisher’s Curtis Lofton, who is scheduled to start at the middle linebacker.

“We feed off each other definitely,’’ Reynolds said.

The two have a good chemistry despite one coming from a small town (Kingfisher) and the other one of the glamour capitals of the world (Las Vegas).

“It’s a little bit interesting, but we kind of the same basic habits and things like that,’’ Reynolds said. “Curtis is a great guy and a great player. He’s always working hard.’’

He hasn’t experienced any culture shock in the slower pace of Oklahoma.

“It’s nice,’’ Reynolds said. “I like it. I like being out of the city. I’m able to focus more here than in the big city. You don’t have as many distractions, there’s quite a few out there.’’

Some of his teammates call him “Vegas,’’ but other than that his teammates don’t give him a bad time about it.

His goals are simple and direct for both himself and the Sooners.

“I’m just going to try to be the best I can,’’ Reynolds said. “We want to go out there every day and get better. We want to be the best defense out there.’’

He’s counting the days before he runs down the ramp Sept. 1 for OU’s opener with North Texas.

“Every game is going to be awesome for me,’’ Reynolds said.