STILLWATER — Artrell Woods smiles when he talks about the first touchdown catch he’ll have this season for the Oklahoma State University football team.

“That will be unbelievable,” he said. “It’s one of my goals to be one of our biggest playmakers on the team.”

Something as simple as catching a pass might not seem too lofty a goal for someone with the physical talents that Woods possesses, but after a devastating injury last summer left him just hoping to walk again, he’ll take what he can get.

The Bryan, Texas, native had completed a workout last summer with 185 pounds on his shoulders and behind his head. He said he “rolled” his ankle and fell to the floor. After being helped to his feet, he said he couldn’t feel his legs and later passed out.

Woods suffered two displaced vertebrae in the accident.

Three weeks later, he showed up at media day in a brace covered with OSU logos.

At this year’s media day last Saturday, Woods was there again and this time wearing his bright orange No. 83 jersey. He doesn’t rush his steps when he walks, but that is the only visible lingering effect on the 6-foot-1, 200-pound sophomore wide receiver.

Some say that what Woods has done to come back from a possible career-threatening injury to walk and play is a miracle.

“I thank the man upstairs,” he said. “He’s given me the opportunity to do something I love. When I could feel my legs again, I never had a doubt I would be back.”

Dez Bryant, the Cowboys’ second-leading receiver last year and also a sophomore from Texas, gets inspired just watching Woods walking around, showing up for practice and working out with the rest of the team.

“He’s blessed and God blessed him to be here with us,” Bryant said.

Also recruited by Arkansas, Arizona, Baylor and Texas A&M; out of high school, Woods is blessed with the talent to catch the ball.

He had 111 receiving yards in the Cowboys’ 2007 spring game before the injury. As a freshman in 2006, he got some playing time in all 13 games, had a tackle while playing on special teams and caught two passes for nine yards. He also had two carries for four yards.

After the injury, he was redshirted for 2007.

He’s counting down the days to the 2008 season opener on Aug. 30 against Washington State in Seattle. Woods said he’ll be ready.

“I’m closer to 90 percent back from where I was before I got hurt,” he said. “I ran a 4.6 (seconds in the 40-yard dash) earlier this summer, but I think I’m faster than that now. By the time we get to Seattle, I will be 100 percent.

“I think I’m an inspiration to a lot of people that if you just work hard, you can get what you really want. I just want to make it through this season healthy.”