NATCHEZ — Stevan Ridley’s next step in the rehab of his right knee is to brush off the mental blocks he’s accumulated after injuring it this past spring.

Ridley, a former Trinity Episcopal standout and current redshirt sophomore at LSU, tore his anterior cruciate ligament in spring training on March 27. He said he is grateful for how smoothly the recovery has gone and gives thanks to God for being back in playing shape so quickly.

“Through prayer and hard work, anything’s possible,” Ridley said. “They told me if I did everything I needed to that I’d be ready to go when fall camp starts this Wednesday, so getting back on the field will be my next big test.”

Ridley will arrive for a team meeting on Wednesday at 8 p.m., then will take the field Thursday morning for the first practice of fall camp. Ridley said that his battle to re-adjust to the college game will mostly take place between his ears.

“The leg is kind of stiff at first when I try to do things with it, but once I warm up and get moving it feels fine,” Ridley said. “Sometimes when I do things like cut during a run, it feels a little weak, but it’s nothing so extreme that I can’t handle it.

“I think a lot of it is mental. I just have to get the mental blocks out of my head.”

Because of how far along he’s come in the rehab process, Ridley has been getting back into regular workout routines in the weight room.

“Right now my knee’s about 80 percent, so I’m not doing as much physical therapy stuff as I was, like leg extensions and leg curls,” Ridley said. “I’m back doing regular things like squats, except with lighter weights than before the injury.”

If Ridley’s time isn’t being spent in Baton Rouge on weekdays, it’s been spent in Natchez on the weekends visiting family and friends. He leaves for LSU on Wednesday for the team meeting and said he likely won’t be back again until Thanksgiving.

“I’ve visited my mom and dad, and have gotten to hang out with some of my old teammates,” Ridley said. “I also got to visit Trinity (on Monday) and watch Coach (David) King put on one of his two-a-days, and even work with some of the running backs there now.”

With fall practice for the Tigers soon under way, Ridley expressed optimism about the Tigers’ chances to have a better year than last season, when the team finished 8-5.

“I think we’re going to have a very strong team,” Ridley said. “I think a lot of people are sleeping on LSU this year. That’s fine with me, I don’t mind being the underdog. We’ve got some big games this year against Florida, Georgia, Alabama and even Ole Miss.”

Ridley said that the coaches moved him from fullback to running back, where he will be competing for playing time against the likes of seniors Charles Scott and Keiland Williams and junior Richard Murphy. Right now, however, Ridley is just grateful for the opportunity to come back at full speed.

“The doctors have basically cleared me to do whatever I want,” Ridley said. “I just want to let everyone know I appreciate their prayers and concern, and for being behind me.”