Peterson’s return might be final game as a Sooner

There may have been a time when Adrian Peterson was fazed by all this. The flash bulbs, the cameras, the quick-fire questions from all angles. Not anymore, though. Not when you were a Heisman Trophy runner-up as a freshman. Not when the national spotlight has been on you ever since.

“It’s something I’m used to now,” the junior tailback said at Oklahoma’s media day on Saturday.

Monday’s Fiesta Bowl will be Peterson’s first action since missing seven games with a broken collarbone. It could be his last if the NCAA’s most high-profile running back declares for the NFL draft after the game.

Peterson has been saying all the right things this week, and the junior has reasons to come back. Another shot at the Heisman, a chance at a national title.

But the lure of the NFL is strong.

Peterson said he’s been dreaming of playing there since he was 7. And the money isn’t bad, either. Peterson isn’t struggling financially but does have a daughter to care for.

“I don’t know when the decision will be made,” he said. “It’s how I feel in my heart.”

For now, the immediate focus shifts back to the Fiesta Bowl. Some have wondered why he would even play in the game with his stock seemingly secure. But Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops looks at it the other way around.

“There’s a risk with everyone else playing in their bowl game, too,” Stoops said. “Why is Brady Quinn playing? Everyone says he’s going to be the first pick (in the draft). He’s not playing in the national championship, so why is he playing (in the Sugar Bowl)? ... ”(Adrian) is healthy now. If the guy’s healthy and he wants to play, then why wouldn’t he play?”

Boise State knows all about Peterson.

Running back Ian Johnson was watching Oklahoma’s game against Iowa State when Peterson got hurt. When asked to compare himself with Peterson, the nation’s second-leading rusher said, “He is stronger. He is bigger. He is faster.”

The Broncos’ Andrew Browning calls Peterson the best back he’s ever seen on film. Even Peterson’s Oklahoma teammates get caught up in his jaw-dropping moves.

“I love blocking for him,” offensive lineman Chris Messner said. “Just from my perspective, you might not think there’s an opening, then he squeezes through for 80 yards. It’s just amazing to watch him play and watch him run.”

While Peterson’s talent is undeniable, there have been roadblocks. He ran for 1,925 yards as a freshman, but that number slipped to 1,104 last season after missing time with an ankle injury.

Peterson had 935 yards rushing through six games this year, but then came the collarbone injury.

Peterson doesn’t complain about the misfortune. In fact, it might be a blessing in disguise.

“Just stepping back and looking at things, just thinking about the opportunities, it’s like a light switch, it can get cut on and cut off just like that,” Peterson said. “What I learned is to make the best of your opportunities. Make sure you’re doing things right.”

Peterson is close to breaking Oklahoma’s career rushing yardage mark. Billy Sims ran for 4,118 yards in the late-1970s, and Peterson needs 151 to surpass that.

The scary part is, he’s just a junior and has missed most of 10 games the past two seasons.

“What if I would’ve played four (more) games last year and six games this year?” Peterson said. “That record would have already been crushed.”

A chilling thought. And one that has NFL scouts drooling. So it’s fitting that possibly Peterson’s last collegiate game will come on an NFL field.

He needs to get used to those surroundings.