Who had a better Freshman year at Oklahoma RB, Adrian Peterson? or Marcus Dupree?, explain why

Well-Seasoned · Jul 4, 2011

Just saw a 30 for 30 on Marcus Depree. I'm sure it came out awhile back, but I just saw the full thing on him. He was slightly before my time. The first football games I ever watched were the 85'Bears that I can still remember.
Obviously, I watched Adrian Peterson and he was one of the greatest Freshman I have ever seen. How does Marcus Depree compare to him for those who saw them both?

GoSooners · Jul 7, 2011

As somebody who saw both players up close and personal, Dupree was a freak of nature. I know Peterson ran for almost 2,000 yards in his freshman season, and broke all kinds of freshman records, but if Dupreee had been put in the very same situation as Peterson, I really believe he would have set some records that never would have been broken. He was that good. Even as it was, he rushed for 1150 yards his freshman season. But he didn't start until the 7th game. And I believe they played just 11 games seasons back then. Switzer also changed offenses after the first few games from the wishbone to the I formation to take advantage of Dupree's talent. That's when he really broke loose. I really think that if Dupreee hadn't taken that big hit and suffered a concusssion in the Texas game the following year, he would have finished out his career at OU and won the Heisman Trophy..At the very least he probably would have finished out his sophomore year and still had a good chance to take home the hardware.

PabloLoco · Jul 7, 2011

not old enough for Dupree all i know is AP was amazing.........

Insiders · Jul 7, 2011

GoSooners said:
As somebody who saw both players up close and personal, Dupree was a freak of nature. I know Peterson ran for almost 2,000 yards in his freshman season, and broke all kinds of freshman records, but if Dupreee had been put in the very same situation as Peterson, I really believe he would have set some records that never would have been broken. He was that good. Even as it was, he rushed for 1150 yards his freshman season. But he didn't start until the 7th game. And I believe they played just 11 games seasons back then. Switzer also changed offenses after the first few games from the wishbone to the I formation to take advantage of Dupree's talent. That's when he really broke loose. I really think that if Dupreee hadn't taken that big hit and suffered a concusssion in the Texas game the following year, he would have finished out his career at OU and won the Heisman Trophy..At the very least he probably would have finished out his sophomore year and still had a good chance to take home the hardware.

Well said as always. Dupree was a Double Freak and if he would have dodged that one hit in the Texas game, NO telling where he would have gone and he was a cinch to win at least one Heisman.
How many more days until they tee it up??

cloverleaf · Jul 7, 2011

Hershall Walker (GA) is the best freshman runningback I have seen in my lifetime. Dupree had the same type size, speed and athletic ability. The difference with these guys was between the ears. Walker was a team player not trying to get freebies from everyone. Dupree was out for Dupree and it backfired badly.

Another great freshman RB was Tony Dorsett (Pitt). He didn't have the size of Walker or Dupree but he was outstanding his first year. I saw him play one game in person and have never forgotten the talent he had.