Not many 18-year-old high school seniors think they can jump straight into the NFL, but apparently Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is the exception.
During a conference call with Denver media Wednesday, Peterson said he could have went pro right after graduating high school.
“Not to sound cocky or anything, or confident, but yeah, I do feel like I could have came out my senior year of high school and played in the NFL,” Peterson said, via the Associated Press. “I really do. And I’ll just say this, people were like ‘well, physically you just weren’t ready.’ I came in my freshman year and I was up for the Heisman, had a pretty good season, was the leading rusher.”
Peterson, who attended Oklahoma, proved right away he was going to be a special talent in the NFL. However, thinking an 18-year-old could transition and play against the best football players in the world seems a bit far -fetched.
But if you ask NFL Media’s Albert Breer, Peterson was ready.
The whole discussion surrounding Peterson was sparked by the possibility that LSU sophomore running back Leonard Fournette will try to enter the NFL Draft following this season.
Who knows what Peterson would have been if he did enter the league at 18? What we do know is he’s a great talent, and playing football for the Oklahoma Sooners was more of a benefit than a detriment.
Thumbnail photo via Jesse Johnson/USA TODAY Sports Images
