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A hurtful comment on Twitter led to a year's worth of embarrassment for Jaz Reynolds.
Now, he's finally getting his chance to redeem himself for second-ranked Oklahoma.
Reynolds moved up in the receiving rotation after Kenny Stills developed concussion-related symptoms and was ruled out this week, and Trey Franks was suspended indefinitely.
He caught five passes for a career-high 93 yards in the Sooners' 38-28 win against Missouri on Saturday night, making his first contributions since being suspended last September for insensitive remarks he posted online.
''It just shows his determination to stay in it,'' All-American receiver Ryan Broyles said. ''After he (lost) some spots in the rotation, he just continued to chip away.
''All throughout camp, he was going to get better even if he wasn't in a starting spot. That just shows a lot for him.''
It was a year ago this week when Reynolds reacted to news of a gunman committing suicide on the University of Texas campus by posting ''Hey everyone in Austin, tx.......kill yourself'' on Twitter. He sent out a disregard request 5 minutes later, but the damage was already done.
Coach Bob Stoops suspended him indefinitely, saying he was ''incredibly disappointed that someone connected with our team would react so callously'' and the Red River Rivalry with Texas ''will not come at the expense of dignity and respect.''
Reynolds had plenty of time for the lesson to set in. After playing in nine games as a freshman, he didn't get on the field at all last year. He played in a season-opening blowout against Tulsa this year but missed a key showdown against then-No. 5 Florida State last week.
''It was a humbling experience, but I learned a lot from it, matured and got everything together,'' Reynolds said.
Reynolds said he had concerns leading up to his first significant playing time in so long, asking himself: ''Are the fans going to accept me? If I mess up, will they boo me?''
''There was a lot going through my head. But after the first catch, everything started rolling,'' Reynolds said.
Reynolds' biggest contribution was a 39-yard catch on third-and-7 when the Sooners (3-0, 1-0 Big 12) were trailing 14-10 in the second quarter. The reception extended a drive that culminated in Broyles' touchdown catch that put Oklahoma ahead to stay.
''It was more of a relief. I've been ready for it and been preparing, just helping Kenny and Ryan get prepared for the games,'' Reynolds said. ''This week, it was my turn to get prepared.''
Beyond Broyles, who led the nation with 131 catches last season, the Sooners have been able to rely on numerous pass catchers this season. Stills was suspended for the first game, leaving Franks as the No. 1 option behind Broyles. Stills came back and had a career-high 125 yards receiving and the go-ahead touchdown against Florida State.
Against Missouri, running back Dominique Whaley also contributed in the passing game, setting career highs with five catches for 82 yards.
''The other guys stepped up and I thought did a really good job, and I believe they should and will continue to because they're capable guys,'' Stoops said.
''Again, they've got some maturity to them now and they can make plays like that.''
Stoops said team doctors didn't decide until Thursday night that Stills shouldn't play because his post-concussion symptoms developed late. He had taken a shot to the head against Florida State but stayed in that game, then participated in practice all week.
Reynolds said he found out Thursday evening he was in line to make his first career start. He wasn't on the field for the first play since Oklahoma went with a fullback and a tight end, but he joined Dejuan Miller and Broyles in the Sooners' three-wide sets.
''He's a competitor,'' Broyles said. ''(Receivers) coach (Jay) Norvell practices a lot of guys in practice, so we all feel like we have a shot to get out there and play. We coach guys up on the sideline, just telling guys, `Just be ready.'
''Even if you don't feel like you're going to play, you could get thrown in at any second, and that's what happened with Jaz. He took it head on.''
