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LAST YEAR'S NO. 1
Ohio State's Adams hopes to make big impact
BY PERRY A. FARRELL ? FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER ? January 30, 2009
When freshman Mike Adams was being promised a spot on the two-deep on the powerful Ohio State offensive line, it could've been just words.
The 6-foot-8, 330-pounder had been a star at Dublin (Ohio) Coffman High School, helping the team to a 13-1 record and a spot in the state semifinals. The Free Press Best of the Midwest honoree played in the U.S. Army All-America Bowl and was a Parade All-America.
Still, making a name as a freshman with a class that included quarterback Terrelle Pryor would be a challenge for Adams.
He moved up the charts to backup left tackle behind All-Big Ten star Alex Boone, but a left foot sprain against Purdue ended his season.
"I had played in a number of games until the Purdue game set me back for the rest of the season," Adams said. "Next year looks pretty promising as long as I do what I'm capable of. I would say my freshman year was a success.
"From Day One when you get the pads on you realize college football is a whole lot different. The guys are just a lot faster, bigger. You're not bigger and stronger than everybody, so you really have to focus on technique to reach a level where you can be as good as you can."
Like Pryor, Adams lived up to the hype. He dropped 35 pounds during the season, replacing the lost weight with muscle.
He said the biggest adjustment was the class work.
"Here at Ohio State they give you all the tools necessary to be successful in the classroom," Adams said. "I've tried to take advantage of those tools, and the guys have helped me with my time management. I've had to grow up a little bit to be able to focus on the goals at hand."
Ohio State's Adams hopes to make big impact | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press
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