Starting center Lance Reynolds, Jr., vividly remembers what he felt like the first time he stepped onto the football field as a starter for BYU.
"I was so nervous," the 6-3, 293-pound senior said. "But the thing about playing at this level is that you are trained so well that there is no need to be nervous. I remember on the first play of the game I just reacted the way I had been taught. I knew there was no need to be nervous after that because training and instinct just kicked in."
Passionate Player
Reynolds' passion for football began long before he ever set foot on the field at LaVell Edwards Stadium, however. He excelled at several sports as a child, but his heart always belonged to football.
"I chose football because it is the most difficult," he said. "When you play football, your body gets hammered and your brain gets so tired. At the end of the game, you have a pounding headache and your body feels like it got run over by a truck. But there is something so rewarding about giving your whole body to something."
Reynolds spent his childhood days throwing a ball outside with his younger brothers. His mother, Leslie, believes one of the reasons he is successful is because of those days spent in the backyard.
"They're all very competitive," she said. "Lance, as the oldest brother, is always in the middle of the trouble, excitement and adventure. He always keeps the competition going. He prods the younger ones to get better."
Despite Reynolds' love for the game, his parents decided their children would not play competitive football until high school due to the chance of injury, but young Reynolds had different ideas.
He decided to approach his father, Lance, Sr., BYU assistant head coach, about starting football as a seventh grader.
"One day when I got home I saw a full uniform," Leslie said. "Unknown to me Lance (Jr.) had badgered his dad and convinced him to let Lance sign up for tackle football. That's when I realized how determined he was to play. What a sneaker thing to do!"
Remarkable Recovery
Reynolds quickly excelled as a tight end and started receiving collegiate interest, but the fact he ended up at BYU is a combination of hard work and a few miracles.
During his junior season at Timpview High School, Reynolds suffered a severe knee injury, tearing his ACL and patella tendon. Due to the nature of the injuries, two separate surgeries were required. The patella tendon recovery needed absolute stillness. Motion was needed to heal the torn ACL.
Then things went from bad to worse. Reynolds was told he would never fully recover. Much like when he had plans differing from his parents about when to start playing tackle football, he also had different ideas about when his football career would end.
He set in motion a work ethic that not only helped him return to full strength, but also became one of the defining parts of his character. His hard work paid off as his remarkable recovery allowed him to play and excel his senior season.
"I knew he was in excruciating pain, but he wouldn't show it," Leslie said. "He was a stubborn kid who persevered. As a mother you have to be proud when your child rises to the challenges placed before him and succeeds in the end."
A Perfect Fit
In addition to BYU, the highly touted player was recruited by the University of Utah, Utah State, UNLV, Harvard, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Washington. In the end, Reynolds chose BYU simply because it felt right.
Leslie was ecstatic with the choice because she always felt BYU would be the ideal place for him.
"I wanted to cry the first time he ran out onto the field," she said. "You don't know what your children's dreams will be and where they will succeed. You want to see where they will grow and what their strengths are. To see one of my kids in that uniform was an 'aha' moment. I didn't realize it would be that cool."
Reynolds' football career took a turn during his sophomore year that few people would have anticipated. Throughout high school he dominated as a linebacker and tight end, receiving all-league recognition in both positions. Reynolds, however, says he was always 10-15 pounds too heavy to play tight end.
Former head coach Gary Crowton must have agreed because midway through the 2003 season Crowton approached Reynolds about moving to the offensive line and playing center.
The position turned out to be the perfect fit.
In 2003, Reynolds saw action on the line against Boise State and UNLV. In 2004, he started all 11 games at center and expects more of the same this season.
"It's been a great move," Reynolds said. "It's been interesting because my body just seems to have naturally adapted to the position. Maybe this is the position I was meant to play. It's been a pretty smooth transition."
In fact, the transition has been so smooth that a year-and-a-half later Reynolds finds himself as a candidate for the Rimington Trophy, which is awarded to the nation's most outstanding center.
"It's a huge honor," he said. "Having just played center for a short time, it is an unbelievable honor. It's just nice to be recognized as the best center on your own team, let alone one of the best in the country. I'm so thankful for the opportunity that I've had to play this position because it has been such a good fit for me."
Leslie admits she was worried about him making that switch so late in his career.
"I was nervous about the move at first," she said. "I had full confidence in Lance, but it is a big decision to change your position. But Coach Crowton kept reminding us that Lance has great feet, understands the game and is a natural at directing people. The move was really in his best interest."
All in the Family
Being apart of BYU football has become a family tradition. Reynolds' father Lance Sr. has been a part of the Cougar football staff since 1983, coaching the offensive line and running backs over the years. Reynolds also has two younger brothers who are part of the football program. Dallas is a 6-5, 310 freshman who joins the offensive line this year, while Matt will join the Cougars after returning from Munich, Germany, where he is serving a Church mission.
Reynolds appreciates the unique and wonderful opportunity he has to play the sport he adores, while also spending time with the people he loves. He is especially thankful for the guidance his father provided during his transition from tight end to center.
"My dad is a technician," Reynolds said. "He understands all the little parts about football that can make a person successful. When I first switched to center, he was critical in helping me become good. Even though the things he says might not always be the most comfortable, you quickly realize the wisdom behind his words. It just all makes sense."
Leslie believes the opportunity to watch her children play together on a collegiate team is a fortune most mothers do not enjoy.
"It's awesome," she said. "When I see Lance put his hand around Dallas' shoulder, encouraging and teaching him, it's very rewarding as a mother. I like seeing the brotherhood come out."
More Than an Athlete
As Reynolds nears the end of his collegiate football career, he has many avenues to consider. He plans to receive either a master's degree in business administration or public administration and would eventually like to work in hospital administration or pharmaceutical sales.
In the meantime, however, Reynolds plans to play football as long as he can.
"I don't think someone should plan on a professional football career," he said. "But I also think anyone who starts for a couple of years in college should give it a shot or he may always wonder what might have been. I'm definitely going to try and if someone takes me, I'll ride it as long as I can."
How to Succeed
Reynolds has great expectations for the 2005 Cougar team, and he's confident the team will not disappoint.
"Our offensive line is going to be tough," Reynolds said. "We only lost two of our 11 starters. There is no reason why we shouldn't dominate the conference in every offensive statistical category."
For someone with an overwhelming amount of heart and passion for the game of football, Reynolds has a relaxing pre-game ritual that shows the mature perspective of a man who makes the most out of life.
"The first thing I do when I get to the stadium is walk the field," he said. "There is something relaxing and peaceful about being on the field with just you and the grass. There is no one in their seats yet, so it is a quiet time where I reflect. You have to remember why you play. You play because you love the sport. There is a much different feeling when you run out on the field with 65,000 people all staring down at you."
Reynolds' mind-set and positive outlook are what separate him from the competition both as a player and person.
"I'm a really hard worker," he said. "That is what life is all about. We have dreams, work hard to achieve them and then enjoy the outcomes. I think hard work is what makes the successes in life so rewarding."
SIR LANCE-A-LOT
Lance Reynolds may not be related to the knight who sat at King Arthur's
Round Table, but the name seems to run in the family. Lance, Sr., the
assistant head coach and running backs coach for the Cougars, and his wife
Leslie always planned on naming their first son Lance.
"I love my husband's name, so I just knew my first son would be named
Lance," Leslie said. "I love my husband and I love my son. The name fits
them both perfectly."
Lance, Jr., (see story above) and his wife Becky are expecting their first
son, a boy, and have already chosen a name. Any guesses? They're going to
name him Lance.
"I like my name and I like being named after my father," Lance Jr. said.
"I'm proud to carry his name. My son will be the third Lance, keeping the
tradition alive."
Both men leave a lot of tradition to live up to. Just for starters, Lance
Sr., a standout athlete for BYU, played professional football for the
Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles during his career. Meanwhile,
Lance Jr. is a 2005 Rimington Trophy candidate and will also pursue a
professional football career.