How Troy Everett is helping lead No. 8 Oklahoma football despite early season-ending injury

When Troy Everett went down with a season-ending injury in the first game, he didn’t know if it was a career-ending injury.

Everett still doesn’t know, but despite no playing time, he’s been a leading voice for the Sooners through a playoff run.

Everett, a senior offensive lineman, injured his left leg in No. 8 OU football’s first game of the season against Illinois State Aug. 30. He has since been ruled out for the season and is still recovering from his surgery.

Everett, though, will walk Saturday for Senior Day before OU’s game against LSU inside Gaylord Family — Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.

Everett’s been through an injury similar in his collegiate career, but he’s in good spirits ahead of his potential final home game in college.

“Yeah, I mean that was hard to deal with, but it's been all right,” Everett said Monday. “It's not my first time around, and I've got great people in the locker room, great support staff, great family, so it's been easier.”

Everett is, however, looking to get a medical redshirt, which will give him another year of eligibility. Everett, a redshirt senior, might not receive it. It’s up in the air and is in the NCAA’s hands.

He’s fine with whatever decision is passed down and has a plan if he can’t continue playing college football next season.

“We're applying for it right now, but we don't know for sure. I still don't know what I'm doing yet,” Everett said. “It's either this or just go back home, learn a trade, and start doing HVAC installation. So, we don't know what's going on.

“If I get it, great. If I don't, we'll be all right.”

Everett was voted a team captain before the season started and has continued to be a leading voice for the Sooners even though he’s not on the field.

He’s been a leader for the young offensive linemen that have stepped in to replace him, including Michael Fasusi, Ryan Fodje and Eddy Pierre-Louis.

He’s an extra coach for the Sooners and for the offensive line, but is also an emotional leader for the team through its challenges and triumphs.

"He has stayed emotionally engaged,” said OU coach Brent Venables. “He cares greatly about his teammates and this team and certainly this being his last year. A guy that's been very, very invested on the field, off the field. He's got great relationships with everybody in the locker room. So it's a very natural place for him. I would say I think coaching is in his future. Just a real natural when it comes to, OK, finding ways to contribute from a leadership standpoint.”

Whether Everett gets another year of eligibility or not, his impact on this season’s OU team is massive and is a reason why the Sooners can secure a potential playoff bid with a win Saturday.

“It’s been incredible. Obviously he was voted captain by his peers for a reason,” said OU tight end Jaren Kanak. “He’s a guy that loves this team and brings juice and obviously going through another injury like that that sits him out, it’s a very hard thing for anybody to go through and he’s just bounced right back up. He hasn’t complained about anything, just tried to be a light for people, and cheer people on and just be a funny guy, encourage everybody, coach, teach, just be a captain because that’s what he is.

"We really appreciate the role he’s stepped into and how committed he is.”