Peterson is also a father, and his 15-year-old daughter Ari Peterson is carving out her own legacy. While football isn’t the focus, basketball has been. She’s good, like really good. She might follow in her father’s footsteps too.

Ari Peterson checking in on Minnesota Gophers hoops

Adrian Peterson spent 10 seasons playing for the Minnesota Vikings after being the 7th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. His daughter Ari, a standout prep hoops star, is now considering the Minnesota Gophers as a place to play at the collegiate level.

Ari Peterson, a Top 20 prospect in the class of 2028, has locked in three unofficial visits, source tells @247Sports pic.twitter.com/HtOj0VE1wT

— Dushawn London (@DushawnLondon1) September 4, 2025

Currently ranked as a 4-star prospect by 247 Sports, there aren’t many top 100 lists out yet for the class of 2028. Peterson checks in 20th on ESPN’s list, and is also seen there as a 4-star recruit. The Minnetonka Skipper forward will enter her sophomore season in 2025-26, and is hoping to help better a 16-12 record from last season.

Basketball is something of a calling card for daughters of former Vikings stars it seems. Chad Greenway, the linebacker, ten-year veteran, and teammate of Adrian Peterson, saw his daughter (ranked 11th in the 2026 girls basketball class by ESPN) commit to Kentucky.

It’s possible that Peterson opts to commit at some point in the next 12-16 months. Greenway landed with Kentucky in November. She’ll play her senior season with Providence Academy this winter.

Adrian is obviously a proud father and shared Ari’s highlight reel. He mentioned that Oklahoma has already offered her a scholarship as well. She is set to visit (unofficial) Minnesota next month on October 11.

While the men’s team is breaking in new head coach Niko Medved this year, the women’s team will boast Dawn Plitzuweit for her third season. As is always the case, keeping the best in-state talent home remains the goal.

Related: Is the 2007 Minnesota Vikings Draft Class Their Best Of This Millennium?

She made the announcement on Instagram Wednesday, including the hashtag “uncommitted” to clarify her status. Peterson is only an 8th-grader (class of 2028) so it’s not like 1st-year head coach Dawn Plitzuweit is putting any pressure on the middle schooler to make a decision..

“After a nice talk with Coach Plitzuweit, I am so blessed and excited to receive my first offer from the University of Minnesota! Go Gophers!”

Ari Peterson – Instagram

Ari Peterson offered by Minnesota Gophers; Maddyn Greenway teammate

Peterson, currently in eighth grade, is a standout player for Providence Academy a private (Catholic) school in Plymouth, Minnesota. She’s averaging 11.8 points per game and her team is 17-3. Ari, along with former Vikings linebacker Chad Greenway’s daughter, Maddyn Greenway, goes to school and plays for Providence Academy.

Maddyn Greenway, a sophomore in high school, is widely regarded as one of the top girls basketball prospects nationally, in the Class of 2026. She too got an offer from Minnesota a few years ago, as an 8th grader, though hers came before her 8th grade season even began. Subsequently, Creighton, Iowa, Michigan, Iowa State, Wisconsin, South Dakota State, and Maryland all followed suit with offers of their own.

Maddyn Greenway went off in a win for Providence Academy at the Pacesetter Sweet 16! Highlights of the 2026 point guard @maddyngreenway

Full highlights: https://t.co/OgAPGlG7YZ pic.twitter.com/Ij2geZSnOC

— Fresh Coast Hoops (@FreshCoastHoops) August 8, 2023

Greenway is two years older than Peterson, but is it possible we could see both of these two and possibly teammates in maroon and gold? Ari also played on the varsity team last season, as a 7th grader. Time will tell, but for now, they’ll focus on the 2+ years of varsity basketball that they still have left together.

Maddyn’s sister, Beckett Greenway (7th grade), is the youngest girl on the team this season. If I had to guess, I’d say there’s probably an offer coming in her near future, too.