TULSA — — Ryan Lester isn't easily discouraged.

He knows the odds are not stacked in his favor as he attempts to walk on with the Oklahoma State University football team later this month. But that's not deterring him.

“I'd say it would be 60-40 against me,” he said. “But I'm ready. I'm not really worried about it. I'm going to give my best. I'm glad that I've got a shot at it.”

Lester didn't get a lot of attention coming out of Muskogee High School this spring. Only Dartmouth and Colorado School for the Mines showed some interest.

“I didn't get a lot of looks,” he said.

But as Lester gets ready to play for the East in the All-State Game at Jenks High School's Hunter-Dwelley Stadium at 8 tonight, his mind remains focused on what's ahead. It's going to take quite an effort for him to realize the goal of playing college football.

That's fine with the 6-foot-1, 220-pounder.

“Football is my passion,” he said. ”I want to play sports anywhere I can. If that means playing cricket, I'll put on the shin guards.”

Lester, though, excelled in football and wrestling at Muskogee. Chosen on the defensive line to All-Phoenix Football Team after the 2009 season, Lester had 75 tackles with 14 tackles for a loss, two caused fumbles and two sacks. He was a consolation semifinalist in state wrestling in his junior and senior seasons.

He's certainly wouldn't be an academic risk. Lester was ranked second in the senior class. He also scored 1,400 on the SAT test and a 34 on his ACT.

Lester, one of five area players in tonight's game, faces his toughest test at the walk-on tryout in Stillwater on Aug. 24.

It will be during this time when he will be checked for his time in the 40-yard dash, strength by lifting 225 pounds as many times as he can and the pro agility drill, or where he will be clocked while doing sprints five and 10 yards at a time.

The other area players suiting for all-state include Checotah running back Chris Carr, linemen Austin Bradshaw of Hilldale and Ethan James of Gore and Stigler wide receiver John Henry Parsons.

Jeremy Burton, Lester's teammate at Muskogee, also was chosen, but he withdrew because of his college commitments. He has a scholarship to University of Louisiana-Monroe.

Once he's done with all-state, Lester turns his attention to the next phase of his life.

He's going to maintain a simple philosophy.

“I've always been taught that if you want something, you're not going to get anything handed to you,” he said. “You might as well work hard for it.”