I don’t know if I’ve ever cheered harder during an OU game than I did for Perine to get the rushing record in the 4th quarter. A stiff arm and a run around the left side later and Perine officially became the Sooners all time leading rusher. Here’s the video of the run so that you can relive this moment.
WATCH: The run that made Samaje Perine OU's all-time rushing yardage leader. #Sooners https://t.co/Zj25aKFbO8
— Sooner Gridiron (@soonergridiron) January 3, 2017
The crazy thing is that Perine could have come back and the selfish part of me (the one who cheers like crazy for the Sooners) wanted him to return. However, moving on towards the NFL was the best decision for Perine. Here’s why.
- Perine has carried the ball 685 times in his 3 years in Norman. Running backs have a much shorter shelf life than pretty much any other position. There is only so many hits that a person’s body can take. A quicker route to a second contract in the NFL (usually the contract where you make the majority of your money) is always the very thing that NFL players seek. This is Perine’s goal. Further he can always come back and finish his degree.
- Perine will probably not be a first round pick (especially with Fournette and Cook), but it’s not like he will really raise his draft stock by staying. He will not really get faster, doesn’t really have anything else to prove, and has more than put in the work while in Norman.
- Perine has had several nagging injuries throughout his time in Norman. Why risk something major by coming back next season.
I can’t wait to see Perine in the NFL. He is a tireless worker and one of my favorite Sooner players that I ever cheered for. I wish him nothing but continued success.