Timberwolves have a Bionic Man
Tettleton regains quarterback job
Timberwolves have a Bionic Man

NORMAN — Norman North expected to have its former starting quarterback back for the 2008 football season. Instead, the Timberwolves apparently have the Bionic Man behind center.

Tyler Tettleton, who started the latter half of the 2005 season as a freshman and all of 2006 before being sidelined the entire 2007 campaign due to a torn knee ligament and meniscus suffered last August, has returned from his injury bigger, stronger and faster.

"Right now, he's farther along than I thought he would be at this point, even if he hadn't gotten hurt,” coach Lance Manning said on Monday after the T-Wolves completed a two-hour spring practice session.

During his rehabilitation period, the senior-to-be went from 175 pounds to 190, increasing both his upper and lower body strength. But the most surprising thing has been Tettleton's speed. He hasn't merely regained the speed he had before the injury, he's exceeded it.

"He's not just faster,” said Manning. "He's much faster.”

Tettleton's 40 time was 4.7 before the injury. Six weeks ago, he ran three 40s for three different Norman North coaches and posted times of 4.48, 4.49 and 4.51.

Asked how he pulled off coming back from ACL and meniscus tears physically superior than pre-injury, Tettleton laughed.

"I have no idea,” he said. "I guess just getting stronger in the offseason and working my butt off since the time I could get started (after surgery).”

Tettleton threw for 1,852 yards, 10 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a sophomore in leading the Timberwolves to the second round of the Class 6A playoffs. The T-Wolves were a pre-season top-five squad in 6A last season and, despite the loss of Tettleton, went 9-3 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs. Now, with Tettleton back and sensational tailback Beau Blankenship, who has led 6A in rushing the past two seasons, Norman North is a bonafide state title contender.

North is in its second week of spring drills and scrimmaged on Friday. Tettleton, the son of former Major League Baseball player Mickey Tettleton, has not only performed well, he's had no mental hang-ups that often accompany knee injuries.

"At first, I did have that sense,” said the 17-year-old. "(Re-injuring) it was in my head a little bit. But it's been a while since I've been cleared (medically), and it's not really something I think about now.”

Although he ran drills and lifted weights long before last Monday, this is the first time Tettleton has been in pads and taken contact.

"Actually, I did take a hit the other day,” he said. "It kind of shocked me. But it was good. Really, I actually felt good when it happened. Good to be back out there like before.”

Actually, not like before. Better.

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