Ed Orgeron Reveals Wild Story About Recruiting Adrian Peterson to USC

Former USC Trojans coach Ed Orgeron has been out of college football for a handful of years, but that doesn't mean he is running out of stories. Orgeron revealed a recruiting story about Adrian Peterson and his father, who was in prison during his recruitment.

Nov 23, 2013; Boulder, CO, USA; Southern California Trojans interim head coach Ed Orgeron before the game against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. The Trojans defeated the Buffaloes 47-29. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Ed Orgeon had multiple stints with as an assistant and interim coach for the USC Trojans from 1998-2004 and 2010-2013. Orgeron is most well known for being the head coach of the 2019 national champion LSU Tigers, a team widely regarded as one of the best teams in college football history. “Coach O” is not coaching college football at this time.

Orgeron recently went on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast hosted by former NFL players Will Compton and Taylor Lewan, and he gave an crazy behind the scenes story of the recruitment of running back Adrian Peterson back in the early 2000’s. 

Ed Orgeron’s Wild Recruiting Story About Adrian Peterson 

Nov 9, 2013; Berkeley, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans coach Ed Orgeron talks with linebackers Devon Kennard (42) and J.R. Tavai (58) and defensive end George Uko (90) during the game against the California Golden Bears at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Adrian Peterson was the top ranked high school recruit in the class of 2004, and the Texas native was sought after by the best programs all over the nation. Even with the Trojans being a premier brand in the sport, they were at a disadvantage geographically with some of the other top schools. This just made “Coach O” hit the recruiting trail ever harder for the Trojans. 

Orgeron said on “Bussin’ With The Boys” that Peterson visited USC, and had a “great visit” and “loved it.” However, Peterson’s dad was serving prison time in Texarkana, Texas, and Peterson told Orgeron he would have to convince his dad to go let him commit to USC. He also told Orgeron that Oklahoma Sooners coach Bob Stoops had already visited his dad in prison.

The prison would be playing Oklahoma games during the season. Orgeron said that Peterson told him if the could get USC games on for his dad to watch in prison, he would commit to USC.

Nov 27, 2021; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron looks on during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images | Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

“‘Coach, I’d come (to USC) tomorrow if you promise me my daddy could see every one of my games,'” Peterson told Orgeron. 

Orgeron knew he had to do whatever it took to make sure Adrian’s dad could watch USC games if he wanted him to be a Trojan. Despite his best efforts, “Coach O” wasn’t able to pull it it off. 

“I went back to Los Angeles, speak to the mayor. Went to speak to every influential person that I could talk to and I tried to get Adrian’s daddy transferred from Texarkana to Los Angeles jail,” Orgeron said. “I tried. I busted my butt. I couldn’t do it man. Too many red tapers…They looked at me like ‘You can’t do that man.’”

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Adrian Peterson’s Illustrious Football Career

Jan 1,2007; Glendale, AZ, USA; Oklahoma Sooners running back (28) Adrian Peterson runs from a Boise State Broncos defender during the first quarter in the Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-US Presswire Copyright Rick Scuteri | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Peterson ended up going to Oklahoma, where he quickly became of the best players in the country. He made First-team All-Big 12 from 2004-2006, rushing for 4,041 yards and 41 touchdowns. Peterson was selected No. 7 overall in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings. 

Dec 22, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) runs the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati Bengals beat the Minnesota Vikings by the score of 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Peterson had an illustrious NFL career from 2007 through 2021. He made seven All-Pro teams, won 2012 NFL MVP, 2007 NFL Rookie of the Year, and was the rushing yards leader in the league three times. He also holds the current NFL record for rushing yards in a game with 296. 

Peterson has the fifth most NFL career rushing yards with 14,918 and fourth most career rushing touchdowns with 120.