How Clemson football running back Keith Adams Jr. has become a 5-foot-9 'sledgehammer'
CLEMSON — Clemson running back Keith Adams Jr. is much like his more famous father — short in stature, long on heart and talent.
His father, a former Clemson All-America linebacker who went on to play seven seasons in the NFL, has done his best to reinforce in his son the benefits of playing with a “chip-on-the-shoulder” attitude.
The younger Adams says much of that stems from him being 5-foot-9 and his father being 5-11.
“Especially with him being a shorter linebacker, my dad always talks to me about that stuff — how he was always the underdog and how he had that mentality,” Adams said. “He has transferred that over to me.”
Adams appears to have taken his dad’s approach to heart as he battles to be the primary backup to starting running back Phil Mafah. His latest bid to be the No. 2 guy came March 27 in the final stadium scrimmage of spring practice.
“Keith Adams had a big day,” offensive coordinator Garrett Riley said. “We didn’t play Phil Mafah as much, kind of held him a little bit, so Keith kind of had a huge opportunity for himself and he capitalized. He had a huge day for us.”
A 215-pound redshirt sophomore affectionately known as “Hammerhead” due to his bulldozing running style, Adams has made a big impact this spring, literally and figuratively.
“Coach Riley actually started calling me that and Coach (Dabo) Swinney and everybody else started calling me that ever since I started running over people,” Adams said. “That’s part of my game.”
Barring injury, it’s doubtful that Adams will receive as many touches or snaps as the 230-pound Mafah did last season at the primary backup to Will Shipley.
Mafah actually logged 12 more carries and four more snaps than Shipley, but with Shipley’s departure to the NFL Draft, Adams is anticipating an increased role this fall after playing in seven games last season. He gained 60 yards on 11 carries in those seven games and served as lead blocker on one of Mafah’s four touchdowns in the Gator Bowl victory against Kentucky.
Expect Swinney to take some extended looks at Adams, particularly in split formations with both running backs lined up alongside quarterback Cade Klubnik.
Redshirt freshman Jarvis Green and freshman David Eziomume also have enjoyed solid spring practices, but Adams is likely to trump them based on experience and his hard-hitting style.
“You look at him and you think he is truly a sledgehammer,” Swinney said. “He is a tough dude to tackle. He’s thick and powerful, but he’s got a little better change of direction than you think.
“This kid can stick a foot in the ground and is really improved with his vision and his understanding of everything we’re doing in the run game. He’s a handful.”
Given that, it appears that Mafah and Adams will be the ones delivering a 1-2 punch this season.
“They’re going to feel Phil Mafah,” Adams said. “Then they’re going to feel Keith Adams Jr.”
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Scott Keepfer covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at skeepfer@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ScottKeepfer
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Dad's advice helps Clemson football's Keith Adams Jr. make big impact
