Adrian Peterson makes ESPN's list of best NFL players since 2000

Former Oklahoma Sooners running back Adrian Peterson had one of the best careers at his position in college football history. He followed up a magnificent three-year run in Norman with an exciting and dominating career in the NFL, mostly with the Minnesota Vikings.

Peterson was named to ESPN’s list of the best NFL players of the 21st century so far, ranking No. 18. Here’s what ESPN staff writer Kevin Seifert had to say about Peterson’s inclusion:

On Dec. 24, 2011, Peterson tore the ACL and MCL in his left knee. On Sept. 9, 2012 — 260 days later — he was back in the Vikings’ starting lineup and on his way to one of the best seasons by a running back in NFL history,” Seifert said. “The season began modestly, with one 100-yard performance over the first six games. He then launched on a run of eight consecutive 100-yard games, two of which eclipsed 200 yards, en route to a 2,097-yard campaign. Only Eric Dickerson’s 2,105-yard output in 1984 exceeds that total. In addition to that statistical history, Peterson set a new template for recovering from a major knee injury. – Seifert, ESPN

Peterson’s accomplishments in the NFL are among the best ever at the running back position. He was the 2012 NFL MVP, the last non-quarterback to win the award. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler, a four-time first-team All-Pro, a member of the NFL Hall of Fame All-2010s Team, and the 2007 Offensive Rookie of the Year.

“All Day” went down as one of the best players of the Bob Stoops era at Oklahoma. In three seasons, he rushed for 4,041 yards and 41 touchdowns, doing all of that in just 31 career games. He was the Heisman Trophy runner-up as a true freshman in 2004, helping Oklahoma return to the BCS National Championship Game. He was also named a unanimous All-American that season,

Peterson’s unique blend of size, power, agility and speed made him the focal point of the offense each of the next two seasons, and No. 28 was worth the price of admission all on his own. The Palestine, Texas native was a massive recruiting win for Stoops and the Sooners as a five-star prospect and the top running back in the country. The three-time all-conference player was selected seventh overall by the Vikings in the 2007 NFL Draft.

Peterson’s NFL career lasted from 2007 to 2021 and he was also named one of ESPN’s Top 25 fantasy football players since 2000, ranking No. 14 on that list. He was the only Oklahoma player to make either list.

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