• Minnesota coach excited to have former Sooner RB

The waiting is the hardest part. That’s what Adrian Peterson did Saturday at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

He was there all morning and sat with his family while Oakland, Detroit, Cleveland, Tampa Bay, Arizona and Washington made their choices.

Then Minnesota made its decision and league commissioner Roger Goodell made it official.

“With the seventh-overall pick, the Minnesota Vikings select Adrian Peterson, running back, Oklahoma,” the commissioner said.

The wait was over.

“It was a long wait but it’s over now and I’m excited,” Peterson said after becoming the 36th former Sooner taken in the first round.

Peterson was considered the top running back available in this year’s draft despite a collarbone injury he revealed this week isn’t fully healed.

He missed seven games after suffering the injury while diving into the end zone against Iowa State. Peterson returned to the field for the Fiesta Bowl and ended his collegiate career with a 25-yard touchdown run on his final carry.

The revelation led some to believe he might tumble down the draft board, and he might have dropped a few spots because of it.

But the Vikings had no qualms with taking Peterson.

“We are obviously elated to have this guy,” Minnesota coach Brad Childress said. “He is an explosive football player that can take it to the house every time from any point on the football field. He has that type of speed and ability.

“We were able to get him in here and spend some quiet time with him, some private time. It’s such a rat race at the combine, but (he’s a) bright-eyed kid, an electric kid. We are just excited to have him in here.”

Peterson, who is the third-leading rusher in OU history with 4,045 yards, was the first OU player chosen by the Vikings since Mike Gaddis went to Minnesota in the sixth round of the 1992 draft.