Ed Orgeron Reveals Wild USC Recruiting Story Behind Adrian Peterson’s College Choice

Former USC assistant and LSU head coach Ed Orgeron shared a remarkable recruiting tale. He detailed his failed effort to land star running back Adrian Peterson for the Trojans in 2004. The story involves a prison, television rights, and a father’s wish.

The anecdote was revealed on the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast. It highlights the extreme lengths top college football programs will go to secure elite talent. According to reports from sports media, Orgeron’s recollection provides a rare glimpse into high-stakes recruiting.

The Impossible Promise to a Prospect’s Father

Adrian Peterson was the nation’s top high school recruit. Every major program wanted him. USC, under Coach Pete Carroll, was a major contender.

Peterson took a visit to Los Angeles and loved it. He then presented Orgeron with a unique condition. His father was incarcerated in a Texas prison.

Peterson stated that Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops had already visited the facility. The prison showed Oklahoma games on television during the season. The young back told Orgeron he would commit to USC if his dad could watch every Trojan game.

Orgeron took the challenge personally. He returned to Los Angeles and appealed to city officials. He tried to have Peterson’s father transferred to a Los Angeles County jail.

The bureaucratic hurdles proved insurmountable. Orgeron recounted being told it simply wasn’t possible. The red tape was too much, even for a relentless recruiter known as “Coach O.”

How the Failed Pitch Shaped Two Football Legacies

This event had immediate and long-term consequences. Adrian Peterson ultimately committed to the University of Oklahoma. His legendary college career there set the stage for an NFL Hall of Fame trajectory.

For USC, it was a rare miss during a dominant era. The Trojans won a national championship in 2004 and played for another in 2005. They still boasted incredible talent, but adding Peterson would have been historic.

The story underscores the human elements often hidden behind recruiting rankings. Family circumstances can directly influence a program’s fortune. It also shows how a single, unfulfillable request can alter the course of football history.

Adrian Peterson’s eventual stardom makes Ed Orgeron’s recruiting story a compelling “what-if” for college football history. His career proved that talent finds a way to shine, regardless of the uniform.

A quick knowledge drop for you:

Q1: Why didn’t Adrian Peterson go to USC?

Peterson gave USC a specific condition for his commitment. He required that his imprisoned father be able to watch every Trojan game. Coach Ed Orgeron could not make the necessary arrangements to fulfill this promise.

Q2: Where did Adrian Peterson go to college instead?

Adrian Peterson chose to play for the University of Oklahoma. He became a Heisman Trophy finalist and a first-round NFL draft pick after a stellar three-year career with the Sooners.

Q3: What did Ed Orgeron try to do for Peterson’s dad?

Orgeron tried to have Peterson’s father transferred from a prison in Texas to a jail in Los Angeles. This was an attempt to ensure the father could watch USC games broadcast locally, meeting the recruit’s primary condition.

Q4: How successful was Adrian Peterson in the NFL?

Peterson had a legendary NFL career. He was the 2012 MVP, a seven-time All-Pro, and retired with the fifth-most rushing yards in league history. He is considered a future Hall of Famer.

Q5: Was Ed Orgeron a head coach when this happened?

No. During the 2004 recruiting cycle, Ed Orgeron was the defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for USC. He later became the head coach at LSU, where he won a national championship in 2019.