Sunnyvale quarterback Nelson Peterson Jr. looks down the field against Gilmer Nov. 16, 2023, at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium.

Quarterback Nelson Peterson Jr., the younger brother of East Texas legend Adrian Peterson, is transferring to Forney.

Peterson announced the move on social media, and it was first reported by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.

Peterson will be playing in District 10-6A with Tyler Legacy and Longview. Forney and Longview were foes in District 7-5A Division I the last two years but were been placed in District 10-6A with Legacy, Rockwall, Rockwall-Heath, North Forney and Royse City on the Feb. 1 UIL Realignment.

Peterson just finished his sophomore season at Sunnyvale, where he was 77 of 153 for 1,167 yards with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions while splitting time as the quarterback with senior Jackson Smith. Peterson also had 83 carries for 648 yards and 10 touchdowns.

In an area round game against Class 4A Division II state champion Gilmer at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium, Peterson was 13 of 32 for 190 yards and two touchdowns, and he carried the ball 18 times for 147 yards and three touchdowns, helping the Raiders rally to tie the game late before a 34-yard field goal by Brayden Pate in the final seconds lifted Gilmer to a 41-38 victory.

Peterson now joins a Forney team that went 13-2 this season and advanced to the Class 5A Division I semifinals before falling to state champion Aledo. The only other loss for the Jackrabbits was 13-7 against Longview on Oct. 6, 2023.

Forney’s starting quarterback Kyle Crawford was a senior. He was 157 of 262 for 2,413 yards with 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions, and he carried the ball 38 times for 165 yards and three touchdowns.

Peterson, who is 6-3 and 190 pounds, picked up his first offer from Texas Tech on Feb. 8.

Peterson’s older brother, Adrian, was a standout at Palestine High School and the University of Oklahoma before a 15-year NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks.