NFL

OU's top recruit Peterson says he's ready for NFL

 

Palestine RB has no plans to enter draft but keeps options open

 

01:59 AM CST on Sunday, February 8, 2004

 

By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News

 

Palestine running back Adrian Peterson, the nation's top college football recruit, has dreamed of playing in the NFL since he was 8 years old. A ruling by a federal judge Thursday means Peterson could be closer to making that dream a reality.

 

The decision struck down the NFL's rule limiting the league's draft to players at least three years out of high school. Suspended Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett sued the league to change the rule.

 

"I was rooting for him," said Peterson, who signed a national letter of intent to attend Oklahoma on Wednesday.

 

If the ruling holds up on appeal, it could clear the way for teenagers such as Peterson to enter the NFL directly out of high school. It also creates a new option for college underclassmen. But Peterson had no plans as of Friday night to make himself eligible for April's draft. The NFL set a March 1 deadline for players newly made eligible for the draft.

 

There is no groundwork in place for Peterson to test the NFL waters without sacrificing his NCAA eligibility.

 

But Peterson said he would keep his options open and thinks he could play in the NFL now.

 

"That would be something special to do," Peterson said. "Personally, I think I could. But that's just me. ...It wouldn't be wise for a lineman. I'll say that. But it's totally different with running backs and receivers. I'd have to see what they offered me."

 

High school athletes in sports such as basketball and baseball have been able to go straight to the professional ranks for years. Football has always been considered different because of the physical nature of the sport.

 

The ruling raises the question if younger players will be ready to compete in the NFL.

 

"If a high school running back can make that jump, I think Adrian has as good a chance as anybody," Palestine coach Jeff Harrell said. "He would have to look at everything and talk to people who know more about it. ...Those are the best players in the world. It's a big jump to Division I. Jumping to the pros is as big a jump."

 

The physical level is what would be most difficult about making the leap, said Peterson, who is 6-3, 208 pounds. But he said his speed would help the adjustment. Peterson rushed for 2,315 yards and 32 touchdowns this season. He also plans to run track at Oklahoma and has been timed in the 100-meter at 10.32 seconds and 20.34 in the 200.

 

"I'm not that big, but I'm fast," Peterson said. "I'm pretty sure I can outrun the whole Dallas Cowboys team."

 

Peterson traveled to Ohio on Saturday to accept the Touchdown Club of Columbus Offensive Player of the Year award and was also up for the organization's High School Player of the Year honor. He said if the ruling holds up and he has a standout freshman season at Oklahoma, he would definitely have to consider his NFL options.

 

"If they offered me $5 million, hey, I'm for that," Peterson said. "How could you turn that down?"

 

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what a name...Adrian Peterson....former Georgia Southern stud RB who was preseason candidate for Heisman (as a d-1aa) and is now a RB for the Bears (was a 4th round pick I believe).

this Peterson is ALOT better from what the scouts are saying.

 

but NFL at 18-19 years old? please :thumbdown

agreed KJC

when you going pro Furman? :lol

the next Chrebet wooooooo

let the games begin, i wonder if he will be the first idiot to try this.

 

whoever does end up trying this will get his ass kicked and be made an example for others. your body is not ready to be in the NFL at 18-19

why do i get the feeling that people get mixed understandings of baseball and football.

 

 

sure kids go pro right after high school.....but that doesnt mean they necessarily play against the top athletes in teh sport.

 

 

they start in rookie or A ball against players of similar skill and experience level.

 

 

its really difficult to compare sports in terms of talent level IMO.

 

 

the only thing you compare is $$$ level.

 

 

then again this country revolves around $$$ and everything else comes secondary so that is not surprising.

This Just In:

 

Rey Rey is salivating

 

that is all.

 

... hold on one last thing... the funeral services are being prepared already.

 

thank you.

Peterson said. "I'm pretty sure I can outrun the whole Dallas Cowboys team."

can roy williams just go knock his ass out now?

Roy would cripple him and this kid knows it...

Peterson said. "I'm pretty sure I can outrun the whole Dallas Cowboys team."

can roy williams just go knock his ass out now? has someone told roy this.

 

 

 

i am sure he could lay out any high school senior for quite a long time if he wanted to.

 

 

 

and speed itself doesnt guarantee success.

 

 

 

 

 

based on 40 times he might be able to outrun the entire cowboys roster.....

 

 

 

so?

he aint helping himself. he will go to college but if he makes it to the pros in 3-4 years, roy will still be around and im pretty sure the media would let him know about this. ooooohh, the pain