Sooners' Adrain Peterson still undecided on future

Sooner Nation Waits to Hear From AD

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson was still undecided whether to return for his senior season or declare himself eligible for the NFL draft.

"I have spent the last few days considering my options ... The facts are that I have not hired any representation and I have not declared for the draft," Adrian Peterson said in a statement released Thursday by Oklahoma.

The deadline for juniors to enter the draft is Monday.

Adrian Peterson is considered a likely first-round draft pick.

"He's very unsure," Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said Thursday in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "He's still trying to figure out what he wants for his life and what he feels is best for him."

Citing two anonymous sources, The Dallas Morning News reported Wednesday night on its Web site that Adrian Peterson had decided to enter the draft and met with Stoops to inform him.

Adrian Peterson and Stoops both denied that report.

"My meetings with coach Stoops and my parents have been to discuss all the scenarios," Adrian Peterson said. "I see a lot of options in both so I am still undecided on what I want to do. I wish people would give me the opportunity to decide. Once I do, I will make an announcement at the right time. Any reports that are different than that are false."

Added Stoops: "They said that our meeting was to inform me. That was anything but the case. The meeting was with me and his parents and just discussing through all the possibilities and what all the different scenarios might be."

Adrian Peterson missed seven games this season with a broken collarbone, but still finished with 1,012 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns. He ran for 77 yards and two touchdowns, including a 25-yarder on the first play of overtime, in Oklahoma's 43-42 overtime loss to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1.

The runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 2004, Adrian Peterson set an NCAA freshman record with 1,925 yards before injuries derailed his sophomore and junior seasons. He missed all or part of four games with a sprained ankle last season.

"I think what's been underplayed from everybody is Adrian's a great competitor and he loves playing here, he loves playing with his team and I think also that people don't realize maybe in the end he feels he hasn't gotten everything he set out to get," Stoops said. "He maybe feels a little unfulfilled that way."

Stoops said his goal is to make sure Adrian Peterson is well-educated and bases his decision on accurate information.

Gil Brandt, a draft expert for NFL.com and a longtime personnel director for the Dallas Cowboys, said he met Adrian Peterson in Arizona and was impressed with his character, particularly his willingness to play in the Fiesta Bowl despite having little to gain.

"I think he's a top-10 pick is what he is, with one asterisk -- that he doesn't have an injury that these doctors see as a deterrent to longevity," Brandt said. "The guy goes back, I think he has a chance to be a Heisman Trophy winner and be a top two or three pick."

Brandt said he believes players generally benefit from staying in school longer.

"He's not going to lose any money by staying in school," Brandt said, "because the prices keep going up."

With 4,045 yards in three seasons, Adrian Peterson ranks third on Oklahoma's career rushing list, behind 1978 Heisman winner Billy Sims (4,118) and Hall of Famer Joe Washington (4,071). He also holds the NCAA record with nine straight 100-yard games to start his career.

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