Adrian Peterson reveals how Texas blew their recruiting pitch (Video)
By John Buhler
Texas could have had Adrian Peterson but they blew it
Adrian Peterson is about to enter his age-36 season in the NFL, but the former Oklahoma football star remembers exactly how the Texas football program blew it in his recruitment out of high school.
Peterson appeared Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast to discuss the matter. Despite having an uncle who played for the Longhorns, the Palestine, Texas native went to Oklahoma over Texas and USC because of the work ethic emanating from Bob Stoops’ Sooners program, as well as an opportunity to compete for a starting job as a true freshman. Oh, Texas messed up bad.
.@AdrianPeterson almost went to USC and competed with Reggie Bush for the starting RB job:
— Club Shay Shay (@ClubShayShay) February 19, 2021
“It came down to Oklahoma & USC, it was a tough decision. But ultimately it came down to being closer to family and the development of the players played a big role.” pic.twitter.com/rYXhaZEFmT
Adrian Peterson was not letting Cedric Benson keep him from seeing the field
While he did not exactly utter the word, Peterson hinted at the sense of entitlement that has been unfortunately commonplace at Texas. He was told that he would not have an opportunity to compete for a starting job as a true freshman because Cedric Benson decided to return to Austin for his senior season and he would have been a first-round pick if he decided to turn pro in 2004.
That fueled Peterson’s fire, as he put together arguably the greatest season by a freshman running back since Herschel Walker. He rushed for 1,925 yards on 339 carries for 15 touchdowns. Peterson finished as Heisman Trophy runner-up to USC quarterback Matt Leinart. After three years in Norman, Peterson was the No. 7 overall pick by the Minnesota Vikings.
Overall, the nearness to home and the Oklahoma program’s work ethic won out for Peterson’s commitment, as well as an opportunity for early playing time. While he did say USC nearly gained his commitment, he and the Sooners program are better that Peterson chose to play his college football at Oklahoma. Texas would have repeated in 2006 had Peterson been a Longhorn.
Nothing in life is given, as Peterson went out and earned himself a multi-level hall-of-fame career.
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