Samaje Perine sat quietly at Big 12 Media Day just two weeks ago. A 20-year old kid with the appearance of a wise, mid-thirties adult.

“He hates being here right now. He hates answering questions to the media because he's very humble," Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield told reporters at Big 12 Media Day. "He's a quiet guy. He's very reserved."

Beneath the calm exterior of Perine lies the competitive monster that he has proven to be on the field. In just two seasons, Perine has already thrust himself into the conversation of great Oklahoma Sooner running backs.

Billy Sims, Steve Owens or Joe Washington. Players who have graced Owen Field with their magnificent play and have left lasting-impressions on Sooner fans which have spanned generations. Every program has a list of great running backs, but these names are college football legend.

What is even more amazing is how close Perine is to one of the most coveted marks in Sooner lore. If the Pflugerville, TX native rushes for 1,057 more yards, he will surpass Sims’ career rushing record of 4,118 yards. Couple that with Perine has this 2016 season to look forward to as well as a possible senior season, and you can see that record possibly disappear.

"I just found that out today and I thought it was one of the most special things ever," Mayfield said. "Knowing the running backs that have come through OU, that is special.”

But that’s exactly what Perine has been to the OU program, special.

His freshman season brought one of the most successful freshman debuts since Adrian Peterson in 2004. Perine bulldozed through the Big 12 conference, rushing for 1,713 yards and 21 touchdowns. The highlight of course being the 427 NCAA single-game rushing record day against Kansas.

"It's still surreal," Perine told ESPN after the 2014 Kansas game. "I just looked at it as doing what I had to do to help my team. I'm not really feeling special in any type of way."

Even during one of his most exciting individual moments in his life, Perine continued to stress "team" and "we." He will never be one to hype his on Heisman campaign, though he is certainly a viable candidate for the award.

While Perine’s numbers dipped in 2015 due to better quarterback play and another budding star at running back in Joe Mixon, the production was still there. When the Sooners needed a big play, Perine would answer the call. Injuries be damned.

The touchdown catch in Knoxville to bring the Sooners back in the thrilling overtime game against Tennessee. The 55-yard touchdown run in Waco to push the Sooners in front of the Baylor Bears. He even returned to a game after a painful ankle-injury against TCU to rush for a 72-yard touchdown, visibly hobbling after crossing the goaline.

At a mere 20 years of age, Perine is already no stranger to records or greatness. Yet he appears to be a gentle giant at heart. His quarterback Mayfield continued to praise him at media day, describing him as a lead-by-example who always does the right thing.

If Oklahoma is to be successful in 2016, Perine will have to be a large reason why. The Sooners enter the season on the road against a probable-top 10 opponent in the Houston Cougars and then have a date with the Ohio State Buckeyes in Norman two weeks later.

The football cliche is to rely on the run in physical matchups like the Sooners face in September. Expect a heavy dose of Perine early and often.

Sooner nation has been spoiled with riches at running back. You could write a book simply on the great backs that have come through during Bob Stoops’ 18-year run. Quentin Griffin, Peterson, DeMarco Murray -- Perine belongs along with these other Sooner legends.