Reed Blankenship thought he had lost much more than the rest of his junior season when he suffered a broken left leg during a Conference USA showdown at North Texas six games into the football season last October.
The all-conference safety and captain thought he had lost his voice within the team.
"It was the first time I had been injured like that and out for the rest of the season. It took a toll from a mental aspect," Blankenship said. "I felt helpless. Not being out there was tough. I felt like I couldn't speak my mind.