Defensive tackle isn’t a position populated by designated X-factors, but Brandon Adams could be exactly that for Georgia Tech.
Entering his sophomore season after seeing plenty of play as a freshman, Adams feels better than ever, and the Yellow Jackets could use his production in a spot that remains the biggest question mark on a defense returning eight starters.
With Patrick Gamble and Francis Kallon graduated, Adams won’t jump straight into a starting role. Kyle Cerge-Henderson and Desmond Branch are first-teamers, but Adams will get a chance to see the field more often than the short-yardage situations he most often saw last year.
Nearing 350 pounds by the end of his freshman season, Adams, at the praise of his teammates, worked hard in the offseason to cut his weight and expand his mobility. He attended Tech’s “fat man camp,” dropped to 325 pounds and even had to buy new clothes to fit in. Adams said his ideal weight is around 315 pounds. He also thinks he’s more fit to play in a major role this season.
“Yeah, I just feel like the coaches will decide that,” Adams said. “I trust the coaches completely. I’ve lost major weight from last season to this season. So I feel lighter out there. I feel like my conditioning … I don’t get as winded as I used to.”
Even after losing 25 pounds, Adams is the biggest lineman Tech has. Cerge-Henderson is listed at 298 pounds, while Branch, a converted defensive end, seems undersized at 270. Adams showed promise last season to be the run-stopping force that the Jackets desperately needed at times. Tech ranked 86th in the nation by allowing 4.73 yards per carry. Adam’s emergence would be timely.
“Brandon’s been really good,” senior defensive end KeShun Freeman said. “I think he’s going to do some really great things, especially adding on to the playing time he got last year. I’m really looking forward to him making a lot of great plays for our defensive line.”
Missed practice time could hurt Adams’ chances of making a quick impact Monday against Tennessee, though the Volunteers’ big offensive front could be seen as a perfect fit to test him out. Paul Johnson revealed after practice Monday that Adams has missed practice time.
“Well, Brandon missed a lot of practice early in fall camp,” Johnson said. “So he’s been out there for about a week and a half, and he’s trying to play himself into some football shape. Hopefully he’ll be ready to play some Monday night. He’s a limited reps guy right now. He hasn’t practiced a whole lot.”
As a Nashville native, Adams will know several players on the other sideline. He said he’s not treating the game with any added importance though.
“Yeah, a lot of my friends are on the team and a lot of friends I’ve played against,” Adams said. “There’s always some trash talking going around, but it’s fun. … Good competition.”
While he didn't grow up in the heart of Volunteers country as did Tech teammates Brant Mitchell and Nathan Cottrell, Adams still has family members who are diehard Tennessee fans. He also rooted for the Vols as a child, just not in the dedicated fashion that Mitchell did.
“I rooted for all the Tennessee colleges,” Adams said. “If Tennessee was playing, I’d cheer for them and if Vanderbilt was playing, I’d cheer for them. I do have some family (that are Tennessee fans), but I don’t think they’re changing roles. I think they want to see me play good, but they’ll want Tennessee to win.”
After a full year in at Tech, Adams feels more comfortable with his weight and the mental aspect of his position. He brings the size and run-stopping ability that Tech has sorely missed up the middle in recent years, and if Adams can bring it all together in his sophomore season, the Yellow Jackets could have a key component to a defense looking to break out this fall.
“I feel like I fully grasp (the playbook) now, so it’s not like I’m going out there thinking about what I’m going to do,” Adams said. “If they make the call, I can just fly around. So I just feel like the sky is the limit for me personally with my expectation level for myself.”
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