Football World Snubs NFL Insider’s Adrian Peterson Pick, Hails 30 YO Ravens’ RB as Greatest High School Talent

Every now and then, social media stirs the pot on timeless debates, bringing fans, analysts, and armchair quarterbacks together to argue the unanswerable. Who’s the GOAT of high school football? It’s a question that never fails to ignite passionate responses. This week, a mysterious yet influential figure of NFL on X, known as Dov Kleiman, sent football fans into a frenzy by dropping his pick for the greatest high school football player ever. What followed was a firestorm of opinions, arguments, and highlight reels that had the football world buzzing.

Kleiman, whose X account boasts nearly 300,000 followers, rarely shows his cards when it comes to personal opinions. But this time, he went all in, tweeting: “Greatest high school football player you’ve ever seen? I’ll start—Adrian Peterson.” He attached a jaw-dropping highlight clip of Adrian Peterson running through defenders like a human battering ram. It was a mic-drop moment that set off a cascade of reactions, with notable athletes and even media agencies jumping on board.

Meanwhile, many countered with names like the Baltimore Ravens RAM truck of an RB, Derrick Henry being the most prominent with others like Calvin Johnson and even Odell Beckham Jr. But Dov’s pick? It wasn’t random—it was rooted in Peterson’s high school dominance, and honestly, it’s hard to argue with the choice.

Adrian Peterson didn’t just play high school football; he owned it. Before becoming an NFL legend and one of the most feared running backs of all time, Peterson was a force at Palestine High School in Texas. His junior season alone was the stuff of legend: 2,051 rushing yards on 246 carries, 22 touchdowns, and an average of 8.3 yards per carry. By the time his senior season rolled around, Peterson was a household name among college scouts. Division I recruiters lined up like fans at a concert, knowing they were witnessing a generational talent.

Of course, Peterson didn’t stop at high school. His transition to college was seamless. For the Oklahoma Sooners, he set the freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards in 2004 and became the first freshman to finish as a runner-up in Heisman voting. By the time he entered the NFL in 2007 as Pick 7 for the Minnesota Vikings, as a rookie, he set an NFL record for the most rushing yards in a single game (296) and was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Dude has a long list of awards, with the most prominent being the 2012 NFL MVP.

What made Peterson special wasn’t just the stats—it was the way he played. He wasn’t a finesse runner; he was a freight train with Olympic speed. But not everyone on X agreed with Kleiman’s pick.

Is it really Adrian Peterson though?

The comments section erupted into a virtual stadium of opinions. One recurring name: “Derrick Henry.” One user cut straight to the chase, writing, “It’s gotta be Derrick Henry, right?” Another shared a nostalgic image of the Ravens’ star in his Yulee High School Hornets jersey, adding, “Derrick Henry, no question.”

Derrick Henry’s insane high school stats are the stuff of legend—seriously, how do you argue with over 12,000 career rushing yards? The 30-year-old is still a force in the big leagues, and those jaw-dropping numbers deservedly put him in the spotlight. But not everyone was ready to let Henry take the crown without a fight. Names like Calvin Johnson and Allen Iverson were also thrown into the mix, sparking some serious debates.

But not everyone was content to let Henry run away with the crown. Another fan fired back: “Go watch Derrick Henry tape lmao,” suggesting Henry’s high school dominance could overshadow even Peterson’s jaw-dropping highlights. Yet Peterson supporters stayed firm. As Kleiman’s post highlighted, Peterson’s ability to shred defenders as a teenager wasn’t just raw talent—it was terrifying. While Henry’s stats spark awe, Peterson’s tape invokes fear. The debate will rage on.