Football - Oklahoma Running Back Peterson To Enter 

Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson will enter the NFL draft and has decided to skip his senior season.

This was informed by Peterson through a statement released by the university on the deadline for underclassmen to declare themselves eligible for the draft. Peterson informed that it was a business decision and he felt is was time for him to take the next step.
Peterson returned after an injury layoff for a broken collarbone to run 77 yards and two touchdowns in Oklahoma’s 43-42 overtime loss to Boise State at the recently concluded Fiesta Bowl. Due to the injury which he suffered on October 14 during a touchdown run against Iowa State, Peterson was sidelined for seven games.
Peterson’s last game in Oklahoma uniform saw him run a 25 yard touchdown that put the Sooners 42-35 ahead in the opening play of overtime in the Fiesta Bowl.
Peterson did not hold a press conference to announce his decision but through his statement he informed that after taking into consideration the relationship he had with his teammates, he has decided to stay at Oklahoma. The statement further stated that his parents and Bob Stoops, Sooners coach, were the people who advised him.
In three season Peterson ran for 4,045 yards and is ranked behind 1978 Heisman winner Billy Sims and Hall of Famer Joe Washington on Oklahoma’s career rushing list. Sims ran 4,118 yards while Washington 4,071 yards. Peterson’s 1,925 yards in 2004 was a school rushing record and the most in the NCAA history by a freshman.
In 2004 season, he started the season with nine consecutive 100 yard games and Peterson finished second to Matt Leinart in voting for the 2004 Heisman Trophy. This is the highest showing for a freshman ever.
After his spectacular freshman season, Peterson underwent a shoulder surgery in the off season. As a sophomore, he sprained his ankle and missed four games. With all this he still managed to finish the season with 1,012 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns.