Back In The Saddle

STILLWATER, Okla. -- One deep burst on a fly pattern early in spring practice was the best indication that Oklahoma State wide receiver Artrell Woods was back after missing last season with a fractured vertebra.

Doctors initially feared that Woods would never walk again. So it's no wonder that coach Mike Gundy is thankful as he watches Woods practice with the Cowboys this spring.

"He's running out there and has looked good," Gundy said. "It has to surprise me because of what happened to him. I think in a few months he's going to look like he did before he got hurt."

Woods suffered the injury during a routine weightlifting session in July. While he was hoisting a 185-pound bar on his shoulders, Woods' ankle rolled and he lost his balance. When he crumpled to the floor, the weight dislocated his spine.

After being flown by helicopter to Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City, Woods had no feeling in his legs. But after a three-hour surgery, Woods' injury was repaired.

Woods has returned to the team and is wearing a green jersey during spring practice. He's not taking part in contact drills in spring practice, but team doctors are confident he could return to the lineup for the Cowboys' Aug. 30 opener in Seattle against Washington State.

"It's huge to have him again," OSU quarterback Zac Robinson said. "The first day he ran a go route and gave a guy a move and was 5 yards past him. Everybody said he was back after that."

Woods' return would address one of the Cowboys' biggest offensive needs after losing leading receiver Adarius Bowman after last season.

One of Gundy's biggest priorities this spring is finding a proven deep receiving threat. Woods, who had 4.4 speed in the 40 before his injury, was projected to be a starter in 2007. His four receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns in OSU's 2007 spring game had the Cowboys excited.

"You saw last spring how capable he is of making big plays," Robinson said. "We're excited to have him back. It's an unbelievable story to come back from that kind of injury."

You Can Leave Your Hat On

Texas' spring practice has been noticeably more physical this season as the Longhorns' defense becomes accustomed to new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp's in-your-face coaching style.

Muschamp has started handing out a "Hard Hat" award to the most physical defensive player at each Longhorns spring practice.

"A player may be doing well, but if a player [at that position] gets the hat, he gets bumped aside," Texas linebacker Rashad Bobino said. "It's a big competition. I was the first one to get it."

Such competition has helped reinforce the notion of physicality for the Longhorns, who struggled late in the season with uncharacteristic defensive lapses. Texas' defense permitted averages of 37.5 points and 482.5 yards per game over the final four games in 2007.

"Every day, we're hitting, no matter where we are," cornerback Deon Beasley said. "Inside the bubble, outside, we're hitting. I think it's good for us to get some contact and for us to show that we're not only a fast team, but we're a physical one as well."

King Of The Road

Road trip, anyone? Colorado coach Dan Hawkins has big plans for a little unexpected downtime that's materialized after his team finishes spring practice on April 19.

Hawkins used to eagerly anticipate his recruiting opportunities during the spring evaluation period that follows the end of spring practice. He's still going to be doing some recruiting this year, but he'll be recruiting fans for the Buffaloes instead of potential players.

A recent NCAA rule change will forbid head coaches from recruiting off campus during the spring period that stretches from April 15 through May 31. Assistant coaches will be the only representatives allowed to recruit players during that period.

Since Hawkins will have a lot of free time during that period, he plans to hop into a recreational vehicle and sell the gospel of his team to fans across the Centennial State.

"It should be a lot of fun," Hawkins said. "I figured this was a way we could go out and meet people across the state."

Hawkins has already briefed athletic director Mike Bohn about his plans. He's also planning to take family members, including his wife, Misti, on the trip.

The idea of Hawkins at the steering wheel of the RV with family members in tow brings to mind images of Clark Griswold in the "Vacation" movies.

"I just hope our trip goes a little smoother than it did for them in those movies," Hawkins said, chuckling.

Tim Griffin covers college sports for ESPN.com. You can contact him at espntimgriff@yahoo.com.