Happy Hump Day, friends and fans!

The Oklahoma Sooners faithful can continue watching one of the greatest players in the history of the sport this fall now that the Washington Redskins have officially invited RB Adrian Peterson back for 2020.

After playing the first 10 years of his prolific career for the Minnesota Vikings, Peterson made brief pit stops with the New Orleans Saints and the Arizona Cardinals before finding a new place to settle in the D.C. area

Now entering his third season with Washington, AD, who turns 35 in March, currently sits at fourth on the NFL’s all-time career rushing touchdowns chart with 111 and fifth in yards with 14,216. He needs 1,054 yards to pass Barry Sanders and 13 TDs to pass Marcus Allen. As long as he remains healthy, it’s entirely feasible that he reaches both marks in his 14th year as a pro.

Now onto today’s Hot Links! Jamar Cain has made a good first impression with the team, Sooner Baseball goes crazy at the plate, Ryan Newman has made great improvement following that terrifying crash at Daytona and more!

OU Links

• Check out what senior Jon-Michael Terry and sophomore Marcus Stripling had to say about newly-hired OLB coach Jamar Cain. Winter workouts are beginning to wind down as spring ball will kick off next month.

• ESPN’s Mark Schlabach updated his Way-Too-Early preseason top 25, and he now has Oklahoma sitting at No. 9. The Big 12 is well-represented throughout his rankings as well, with Oklahoma State at No. 12, Iowa State at No. 18, Texas at No. 23 and Baylor at No. 25.
• Spenser Davis of the Dallas Morning News looks at OU’s quarterback situation heading into the fall, determining where the Sooners’ passing game could improve from last year, and where the production might take a step back. Most fans and analysts believe redshirt freshman Spencer Rattler will ultimately win the starting job, but his skill set is vastly different than that of Jalen Hurts.
• RJ Young of OU Insider points out how some key newcomers are already creating waves during winter workouts. Expect to hear a lot more about guys like DB Bryson Washington and WR Marvin Mims as spring ball approaches.
• After losing to No. 1 Baylor at home on Tuesday, Oklahoma holds onto its 9-seed status in Joe Lunardi’s updated Bracketology report.
• OU Baseball used 21 hits to produce 14 runs in a blowout 14-1 win over Texas Southern on Tuesday. The Sooners are now 3-1 on the season and are looking sharper by the inning. In case you missed any of the game, check out the highlights from Oklahoma’s home-opener.

• Staying on the diamond, Oklahoma hosts Texas Southern again today for round two. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT, and if you can’t make it to L. Dale Mitchell Park, you can stream the game live on SoonerSports.TV or listen for free on Sportstalk 1400 AM.

• From Friday, Feb. 21 through Sunday, Feb. 23, Oklahoma Softball will be in Cathedral City, California for the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. The Sooners are preparing for back-to-back double-headers, where former Big 12 foes like Nebraska and Texas A&M await. Among this year’s competition also includes No. 2 Washington and 2019 Norman Regional participant Wisconsin. This should be the last major non-conference stretch before OU opens the home slate and eventually conference play.

• Nick Kosko of 247Sports explores a natural comparison that has come up with the Cincinnati Bengals owning the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. When it comes to Baker Mayfield vs. Joe Burrow, which of these top picks is a better commodity as a QB? Should Cincy select Burrow, both players would play in the state of Ohio, and would be rivals within the AFC North Division.

Around the Sports World

• Great news for Ryan Newman, his family and NASCAR. Less than two days after being involved in a horrific crash at the Daytona 500, the Roush Fenway driver is on his feet, talking and smiling. If you’ve seen the wreck, you should understand how miraculous this development is. Amazing stuff.

• After growing speculation, the Cleveland Cavaliers have officially parted ways with head coach John Beilein and elevated assistant J.B. Bickerstaff in his place.
• Following a buyout from the Detroit Pistons, PG Reggie Jackson’s next move is to sign with the championship-minded Los Angeles Clippers. It’s not an NBA landscape-changing move for the Clips, but a change of scenery could re-spark the 10-year veteran.
• The NCAA is looking into a potential rule change that would allow all players a one-time transfer waiver without penalty. Of course this would magnify the significance of the portal’s power exponentially, but since it’s happening more often as the years go by, a move like this is likely inevitable anyway.
• This man is a saint, as he even manages to incorporate Baker Mayfield into the scenario.

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