All Day: All-Access

He's one of the most dynamic players in the history of college football and one of the most in-demand personalities in America today. In a special to SoonerSports.com, University of Oklahoma junior running back Adrian Peterson speaks his mind with his own weekly feature.

Given the nickname "All Day" as a youth for his uncanny endurance on the football field, A.D. will share his unique look on fame, football and life in general in All Day: All-Access.

With much of the preseason hype surrounding who is going to win the Heisman Trophy, the early favorite gives his thoughts on college football's most sought individual prize.

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Week No. 1 of All Day: All-Access -- The Heisman Trophy
Posted: Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2006

Adrian Peterson

  OU's single-season rushing record holder
  First Sooner to rush for 3,000 yards in first two years
  2004 Heisman Trophy runner-up
  First OU freshman to be named All-American

SoonerSports.com: What was your first memory of the Heisman Trophy?
Adrian Peterson: My uncle played for the University of Texas so I spent a lot of time in Austin, attending the games in '97 and '98, and that's when Ricky Williams was there too and I was told to watch him. I just watched him do his thing and he won the Heisman Trophy. I wouldn't say that was my first memory but that was the first time it really just hit me.

SS: Which Heisman Trophy winner do you admire the most?
AD: Ricky Williams. You know my tattoo is Diesel. I like trying to run over people, but I kind of got that off of Ricky Williams. But you've got to switch that up because you won't last too long trying to run people over.

SS: Did you ever "strike the pose" in the sandlot?
AD: Oh yeah, I struck the pose. Actually I remember doing it a couple of times just out in the yard playing around with some guys from the neighborhood. I remember doing it that way in the mirror around eight or nine.

SS: When was the last time you struck the pose?
AD: Probably my freshman year, just really as a joke. But since all of this hype has been going on you're kind of hesitant to do it around people. They might take it in the wrong way.

SS: Is it harder to win the Heisman as a running back, as opposed to being a quarterback?
AD: I wouldn't say that. They're kind of equal, same type of opportunity.

SS: When did you find out you were in the running for the Heisman as a true freshman in 2004?
AD: Actually, I was in study hall and one of the guys came up to me, I don't remember who it was, but they came up and told me I was on ESPN.com and showed me my name was on the watch list. It felt pretty good.

SS: Did you ever imagine that you would be a Heisman finalist prior to your arrival at OU?
AD: I always set my goals high. The Heisman is something that I have been wanting since I was little. So I had my goals coming into my freshman year, and I knew if I came with my goals there could be a possibility that I could be in New York or in the top five. I thank God for blessing me with a good quarterback and offensive line and I got there.

SS: Did you think you will ever win it?
AD: I just know if I set my goals maybe it will come true.

SS: What did it mean to you when Jason White voted for you No. 1 on his Heisman ballot in 2004?
AD: It meant a lot to me. Just him being up there, it was kind of crazy after the whole Heisman ceremony and everything to find out that he voted for me. He really felt like if he wasn't in it I would have won. It meant a lot.

SS: What stands most out about the 2004 Heisman ceremonies in New York?
AD: I can say when they announced the winner it was a good feeling, not a disappointing feeling, but a feeling that made me want it even more. It's kind of hard to explain. It just made me hunger for it and want it even more. I wouldn't say it is really selfish, but I just want it more and to go and get it. I felt that.

SS: Who do you predict will be the finalists for the Heisman trophy?
AD: Brady Quinn from Notre Dame and Ted Ginn from Ohio State, also with God's will and with my goals, myself.

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Have a question you would like to ask Adrian?
Click here and we'll select the best for him to respond.

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Missed an entry of All Day, All-Access?
No. 1 (Aug. 30) - The Heisman Trophy
No. 2 (Sept. 7) - The Music of A.D.
No. 3 (Sept. 14) - Pumping Iron
No. 4 (Sept. 20) - At the Movies
No. 5 (Oct. 4) - Fan Support
No. 6 (Oct. 12) - Father Knows Best

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