Oct. 7, 2015

By Jackson Filyo
Media Relations Student Assistant

Five years ago, Jerell Adams would have told you that in 2015, he would be playing in the NBA, running through the final stages of an offseason workout program just weeks away from the start of training camp.

A standout power forward at Scott’s Branch High School in Summerton, South Carolina, Adams averaged 19 points and 13 rebounds as a high school junior, and looked every bit the part of a next-level hoops player.

“I always wanted to play basketball,” Adams said. “Football was just something I did. I wanted to be an NBA All-Star.”

Despite his passion for basketball, it became apparent that Adams had just as much, if not more potential as a football player. During his senior year of high school, Adams led his Scott’s Branch team to a 1A Division state title, a team for which he played quarterback, tight end, linebacker, defensive end and punter.

Talk of Adams’ diversity made its way around the South Carolina recruiting trail, and before he even considered the possibility of playing at the next level, scouts were showing up to watch him dominate.

“People always used to tell me, ever since pee-wee flag football, that I was going to be something special,” Adams said. “But I didn’t realize it until I saw my first college recruiter. I thought I was just a regular guy on the field just trying to make it.”

Still unsure of what his future held, Adams called on his high school football coach to help him make a decision. Leonard Johnson, who now coaches at Marion High School, coached Adams in high school and convinced him to continue his football career at the collegiate level.

Johnson pointed out that Adams’ frame was common in college basketball. In football, not so much.

“You can pick someone with your size, your height, your type of talent from anywhere for basketball,” Adams recalls Johnson saying. “It’s very rare that you find guys your height, your size and your talent on the football field.”

Adams had picked his sport. He was a football player. Next, he had to find a place to play. He drew attention from colleges but decided that taking a year at prep school would serve him best. Adams attended Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia during the fall of 2011.

Adams played quarterback his entire life- from flag football to the Pop Warner years, into middle school and through high school he touched the ball on every play. He wanted that to continue into his college career, but knew that his size would make that nearly impossible.

“I was just getting too big,” he said.

Adams was 6’5″ 220 pounds as a high school senior, and nearly all of his recruiting attention came under the classification of tight end. Coming out of Scott’s Branch, Adams was given a three-star ranking by Rivals.com and was considered the state’s 10th-best player.

The year at prep school served him well. After one season at Fork Union, Adams was rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com.

When it came time to decide upon a college, Adams felt the urge to return home to his family and play football at a school where he could be near them. Luckily he didn’t have to look too far down the road from his hometown.

“Family always meant so much to me,” Adams said. “Growing up I wanted to be like my mom and my oldest brother. My mom always found a way to get it done and my oldest brother was the first one to go to college out of my family. I always wanted to go to college and follow in his footsteps.”

Adams grew up in Pinewood, S.C. and lived just 15 minutes away from South Carolina’s campus. He knew from the beginning of his recruiting process that he wanted to stay within the state, but was unsure if South Carolina or Clemson was a better fit. Upon his visit to Gamecock country, he knew.

“It felt like a family here,” Adams said.

The transition to life at the University of South Carolina was smooth for Jerell Adams. He leaned on Gamecocks wide receiver Shamier Jeffery, current roommate and longtime friend, for support in the transition. Adams and Jeffery grew up together and played against one another in middle school and high school.

Adams made an immediate impact on the field for the Gamecocks. He was one of only three true freshman to play in the 2012 season opener against Vanderbilt. Adams caught his first career touchdown pass that season in a 38-20 win over Arkansas. At season’s end, he was named to the SEC-All Freshman team, which is voted on by the league’s coaches.

During his sophomore and junior years, Adams played in 26 games. He has contributed to one of the greatest eras in Gamecock football history. Adams shared time with fellow tight end, Rory “Busta” Anderson, now a member of the San Francisco 49ers, and a number of others who went on to play at the NFL level.

Adams says it, “feels pretty good,” to play alongside such great teammates, but that he never looks at any of them as superstars.

“They are just out there just trying to make it just like I am,” Adams said.

Adams isn’t dismissive of the accomplishments of his teammates and former teammates; instead he prides himself on finding motivation from within. He said what he has learned the most from his time at South Carolina is the importance of humility.

“Stay humble and focus on yourself,” Adams said. “Don’t worry about anyone else’s (personal) business.”

Jerell Adams has taken that mentality and turned it into a legacy at South Carolina. Now a senior leader, he has the opportunity to leave his mark both on the field and on the minds of his younger teammates now in a position that he once was.

Adams takes pride in passing on what he has learned to those soon to go through similar trials.

“I hope to play in the NFL,” Adams said of his plans after graduation, “But I definitely want to work with kids. A lot of (them) grow up struggling with obesity, and I want to help fix that. I want to do fun things, sports and activities with the kids. I just love working with kids.”