Adrian Peteson on Doak Walker Award list.
DALLAS, (AP) _ Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson is on the list of candidates for the Doak Walker Award that's given each year to the nation's top running back.

Peterson was a finalist for the award as a freshman last year after rushing for an NCAA freshman record 1,925 yards.

Semifinalists, then finalists will be announced in November and the winner will be announced December 8th.

Michael Wilbon of PTI on ESPN picks Adrian Peterson to win the Heisman

Adrian Peterson can win Heisman if Sooners can pass (MSNBC)
Star RB needs help because he will be focus of opposing defenses

Adrian Peterson and the Sooners ready for Saturday

"Adrian Peterson set an NCAA record for rushing attempts by a freshman with 339 last season.
In all likelihood, he won’t reach that number this year. But he may as many touches. The Sooners plan to incorporate him into the passing game this season."
“He handles it well and has good hands,” Stoops said. “He catches the ball just fine. Definitely, he’ll be more a part of our passing offense.”
Adrian Peterson only caught five passes last season, but he’s anxious to increase that total.
“I’m excited about that,” Peteson said. “I’ll get to catch the ball in the open field and get out there and make things happen.”

Adrian Peterson article from desmoinesregister.com August 26, 2005

Adrian Peterson ESPN the Mag
Listen to Peterson and you'd think he was talking about a rough scout-team first year. "I ran too high... I wasn't patient... I didn't get it done in the passing game." But 1,9235 yards and 15 rushing TDs say he's a crazy man. "I should've had 2,000," he counters. Actually, he's right there. Person had a bum shoulder that first popped out in preseason practice and again at Texas A&M on Nov. 6. He finished the game -and the season- and finally had the joint fixed this winter. Although the procedure kept him out of spring practice, he's sure he can better that pathetic season. "You'll see how improved I am going to be." Peterson says. Yes, we will, Adrian. But will you?

That short article, has me pumped. Move over Leinart. Adrian is taking that trophy.

Adrian Peterson the Playmaker With a combination of size and speed, Adrian Peterson is the best running back in the nation.

8/23/05: Drew Rosenhaus (T.O.'s agent) said on the Adam Carolla Too Late Show on Comedy Central, that Adrian Peterson is the only player he believes could have one from high school straight to the NFL.

Adrian Peterson will not be looking for extra contact, this season. ""I'm still pretty physical, but if I've got one yard to go and somebody's coming to hit me, I'm going to get that one yard and get out of bounds," Peterson said. "There's no need for extra contact."

Kirk Herbstreit on Columbus, Ohio sports radio: "Let me tell you something about Adrian Peterson." about a 3 sec. pause. "The guy... the guy has gotten BIGGER!" "He looks better this year then he did last year."

OU 2005 Video

From TCU: "In looking ahead to the Sept. 3 season opener at No. 5 Oklahoma, Patterson has one area of concern that he'd liked to see addressed immediately.

"We have to tackle better," he said. "The key against Oklahoma is being able to tackle.

"Whoever goes into the game has to be able to tackle. Adrian Peterson had something like over 1,000 yards after contact last year. After somebody hit him, he was still getting yards. You have to tackle him and be physical." (note: I think Adrian Peterson had over 1,300 yards after contact)

Adrian Peterson article: "All Day Long"

Stoops said after Friday morning's practice that Adrian Peterson will get between 5 to 10 more touches per game from the passes. Adrian has be working on catching the ball more in practice, "I put a lot of work in because I knew coming into this year that I would be going out in the open and catching the ball. So I focused on getting my hands together for the season,"

Adrian Peterson is one of 40 players on the Walter Camp Watch List, the award is given to the most outstanding college football player

Tuesday Practice: "Adrian Peterson continued to take more and more reps with the offense and even participated in running drills with the offense. It's clear Peterson is other worldly compared to any other back on the Sooner roster when he gets the ball in practice. His pass catching continues to be impressive after improving dramatically over the last year. "

Adrian Peterson running more fluid with more patience finding the hole. Can AD rush for 2,000 yards?

Adrian Peterson chosen Top Player in the Big 12 by CNNSI

Saturday scrimmage, Adrian Peterson held out, " “He could have went, but why take a chance. His leg feels good but we’re going to make sure it’s 100 percent.” Coach Stoops

Adrian Peterson was back at full strength and participating in every drill, Thursday morning. "He wasn't hurt, it was just a precautionary measure to make sure that he stays loose," said OU head coach Bob Stoops.

Rivals picks Adrian Peterson as the Top Running Back the Country
1. Adrian Peterson (Oklahoma)
NCAA records aside, Peterson will be one of the most hyped players on the national scene in 2005. He finished second in the Heisman balloting in 2004 and seemed to be voted all-everything by everyone, everywhere.

Peterson has plenty of speed and amazing strength. Sooners coach Bob Stoops will be trying to use the latter a little less, because Peterson took some big hits while pounding out yards between the tackles in 2004. His offensive line will be less experienced in 2005, but that shouldn't slow down Peterson too much. He's just that good. Link

Adrian Peterson Media Day Quotes

First Fall Practice, Adrian Peterson impressive
In Norman, Peterson, who had reconstructive surgery on his left shoulder in the offseason and missed Oklahoma's spring practice, impressed coach Bob Stoops by averaging 43 seconds on a pair of 300-yard shuttle runs before the Sooners' first fall practice. The 300 yard shuttles is 5 60 yard runs.

"He's just big, fast and strong," Stoops said. "He's up to about 218 pounds and just as fast if not faster than last year."

Watch this incredible run by JD Runnels, sorry AD but this run is unreal

CFN All-American Team...
and top 25 players at each position, part one,  starting with the quarterbacks, receivers, tight ends and running backs led by Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson.

Who is the toughest Big 12 player to tackle?
Baylor LB Colin Allred: "(Oklahoma TB) Adrian Peterson. If you go low, he'll jump over you and if you go high, he'll just run through you. He's so strong and quick — he's tough."

Kansas State LB Brandon Archer: "(Missouri QB) Brad Smith was the toughest for me. Peterson was up there, although I don't think he was the hardest-hitting. Smith has some quick feet. That's the only way to put it. When the play breaks down, it's still tough to catch him." (OK Brandon, what RB hits harder than AD? also, Adrian is putting on more muscle to run you over)

Texas DT Rodrique Wright: "I think it's (Texas QB) Vincent Young, but among my opponents I guess it's either Reggie McNeal or Adrian Peterson. Reggie is so fast he can fill the pocket. He can beat you with a stiff-arm. Adrian is just a beast. When he gets outside he has the speed to go a long way. And he's big enough that it's pretty hard to tackle him."

Adrian Peterson to do more

Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson was fully cleared to resume any and all drills earlier this summer after sitting out spring training because of shoulder surgery. Plans call for the Heisman Trophy candidate to have an expanded role in his sophomore season.

"We will give Adrian more to do, involving him more in our passing game, [expecting] he will be able to handle more of that this year," OU coach Bob Stoops said. "It will be an advantage to us. We are not going to run him 40 times a game."

Peterson caught five passes for 12 yards last season, compared with 339 carries.

Oklahoma's Adrian Peterson must lead with a new Quarterback

College Football's Dream Backfield: Adrian Peterson and....

Big 12 Media day

Q. Coach, with that uncertainty at quarterback, does more pressure fall on Adrian Peterson to duplicate what he did last year, or is that just already told, that he is going to be that big a part of your offense?
 
COACH STOOPS: We are not going to sit here and put more pressure on Adrian Peterson. I think the most success we have had, you know, offensively, and it has been a lot because of the balance we have been able to have, that we have thrown it well, and we have run it well.
 
I think they compliment one another, so I believe we will give Adrian Peterson more to do, involving him more in our passing game, that he will be able to handle more of that this year, it will be an advantage to us as well. Outside of that, you know, he ran the ball a good number of times a year ago.
 
We are not going to sit there and run him 40 times a game. We are going to do our best to have the kind of balance we have had.

Adrian Peterson was named Preseason Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, Rodrique Wright of Texas was selected Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and Nebraska's Zac Taylor was chosen Preseason Newcomer of the Year in a poll voted on by media who cover the Big 12 Conference.

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