FORGET ME NOT - Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson was out of the spotlight last season, but now he's healthy and eager to showcase his talent.

By Ted Lewis

Monday, July 31, 2006

Remember Adrian Peterson?

The Oklahoma running back who in 2004 became the first freshman to finish second in the Heisman Trophy balloting but who dropped off the national radar last year when a combination of an ankle injury plus early Sooner losses pushed him and his team into the background?

Well, Peterson's back.

And he has some lofty goals for 2006.

Like rushing for more than 2,000 yards while picking up another 500 receiving, leading the Sooners to the national championship, winning the Heisman this time and being the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft should he, as expected, come out after his junior year.

"I set my goals high," said Peterson, who along with Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn are considered the early Heisman front-runners. "That's the way I am.

"My dad told me to shoot for the moon. If you fall short, you're still among the stars."

Peterson's father is a big part of his motivation.

Nelson Peterson is scheduled to be released from a Dallas halfway house Oct. 5 after serving seven years in federal prison for laundering drug money.

That's two days before Oklahoma meets Texas in the Red River Shootout. The elder Peterson hasn't seen his son play in person since Adrian was in the seventh grade.