Rylan Webb
Rylan Webb has undergone some changes this season.
From the moment Webb first stepped on the field as a MacArthur footballer, he was a safety. He even played a pivotal role at the position as a freshman for MacArthur during its state championship run in 2014.
However, the senior has experienced the game from different vantage points this season.
"They switched me to outside linebacker, and after the first two games, they thought I'd be more comfortable at middle," Webb said. "The (Tascosa) game was my first game at middle, and I absolutely loved it. I couldn't be happier, and I feel so comfortable.
"It feels like I'm right at home. It's been a pretty good transition, and I'm excited about it."
The switch has paid off. Webb led the team with 13 tackles against Tascosa, returning a fumble for a touchdown as well.
It was Webb's first defensive touchdown since his sophomore year.
"It felt awesome," Webb said. "I haven't played much offense this year, so just touching the ball and running with it felt really good. Last year, I was kind of mad I didn't get (a defensive touchdown), and that kind of ended the drought, so that felt good."
Webb also plays baseball at MacArthur, and though he hasn't planned past graduation yet, he said he'd like to have the chance to play either sport at the next level.
"If it doesn't work out, I'll try to get an academic scholarship somewhere — that's the goal," Webb said. "From a safety point, I'd probably go with baseball, but in my heart, I'd probably go with football. My mom wants me to play baseball, and my dad wants me to play football — we'll see how it goes."
Regardless, Webb knows exactly what he wants to do career-wise, and he is willing to take the necessary steps to ensure his goal is met.
"I actually want to be a chiropractor," Webb said. "I'm supposed to intern the next few weeks with Dr. Trey Chambers. He helps out coaching as well, and he's one of our doctors.
"He's a pretty good family friend, and he loves it. He has a great schedule, and he talks about it all the time to me."
If Webb has his way, he'll be leaving Oklahoma for the Lone Star State to purse his college degree in chiropractic.
His dream school is Texas State, which is located in San Marcos — a six-hour drive from Lawton. "I have family in that area, so it'd be awesome if I could go there," Webb said. "I heard the environment and the school are really, really good."
Outside of sports and his studies, Webb likes to wind down one of the only ways he knows how — enjoying the peaceful serenity of nature with a fishing pole in his hands.
"I love fishing," Webb said. "My dad and my brother — we always go fishing. My brother is in college right now, but whenever he comes back, we go fishing almost every weekend.
"We have a really good spot in Carnegie. It's kind of a secret pond, so we go out there every once in a while. It's a good way to get away and get your mind off things and just enjoy life."
Webb said his biggest catch while in the secluded wilderness was a 7-pound bass, though it felt like much larger at the time.
"I thought it was 20 pounds when I first reeled it in, but it was nowhere near that," Webb said. "It was pretty sweet, though."
Of course, a long day on the field or at the pond would make anyone hungry, especially someone the size of Webb.
Webb is a big guy, which is one of the main reasons Mac head coach Brett Manning and his staff moved him to linebacker. Weighing 215 pounds and standing at 6-1, Webb needs plenty of food to satisfy his appetite — something he embraces wholeheartedly.
"I love to eat — I love food," Webb said. "I love Billy Sims (Barbecue). It's one of my favorite places to eat, and I love Salas (Urban Cantina)."