4-Star 2020 RB Sam Adams II Talks Washington Huskies Offer with Lake Washington Playoff Preview
Posted by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @Ryan Wright
Sam Adams II Profile
Position: Running Back and Cornerback
Height and Weight: 6-2, 200
Classification: 2020
Ranking: 4-Star
High School: Eastside Catholic – Sammamish, WA – Class 3A – Metro
2018 Crusaders Preseason Ranking: No. 2 in Washington (MaxPreps)
2018 Record: 8-1 – ranked No. 1 in WA
2018 stats (7 games): 37 carries for 545 yards with eight touchdowns and eight receptions for 111 yards with two touchdowns
Defense: 23 tackles, 16 solo, one tackle for a loss, and three interceptions
Special teams: six kick returns for 158 yards, long of 47-yards, and four punt returns for 59 yards
2017 Crusaders Record: 10-1 – ranked No. 4 in Washington (MaxPreps)
2017 Stats (6 games): 14 carries, 65 yards, and one touchdown, one reception for 37 yards
Offers (28): Washington, Cal, Arizona, Arizona State, Nebraska, Ohio State, Boise State, Oregon State, San Diego State, SMU, Washington State, Cal, Florida, Louisville, LSU, TCU, Tennessee, Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Purdue, Rutgers, BYU, Oregon, Texas Tech, Wisconsin, Colorado, and Texas A&M
Top 40-Yard Dash: 4.4
Season long series of RNG interviews with Eastside Catholic High School 4-star 2020 RB/ATH Sam Adams. Adams updates the last couple of Crusader wins with a quick preview of the upcoming playoff game against Lake Washington and covers his offer from the Washington Huskies.
*Click link for Oct. 29, 2018, RNG interview with Sam Adams II
Interview
Sam, you guys plowed past Ferndale 44-7 on Friday. The last two games have kind of been the same taking down Bishop Blanchet 44-17. How is the team coming into form entering the playoffs?
“We are all coming together. We know that in the past we lost unexpectedly to teams we should not lose to. We know the next game can be our last, that is pushing us forward.”
Over the course of the season we have talked a lot about your growing skills on offense but not that much about your growing talents on defense. Before the season began, would you have guessed you would be tied for the team lead in interceptions?
(Laughs) “Not at all. I did not know I was going to play defense until the week before the first game. Our defensive coordinator told me he wanted me to play corner this year. My freshman year I played a little corner, but I did not play the position during my sophomore year. He put me on defense just before the season and I have been playing it to the best of my ability.”
How has your talents as a defender improved from the Oaks Christian game to the Ferndale game?
“I feel more comfortable. Against Oaks Christian, I was not getting the reps in spring or fall camp to be fully ready. Now I am getting the reps. I am feeling more comfortable and playing more smoothly.”
The playoffs begin for you guys against Lake Washington (4-6), what are you expecting from the Kangaroos defense on Friday?
“We are expecting a good game against a disciplined team. I played against those guys when I was younger. They have athletes. They will give it all they got. It should be a good game.”
Your offer sheet grows week by week, you picked up a couple more offers last week. Which teams offered you?
“Washington, BYU, and Texas.”
Which coaches have you been talking to lately?
“I have been talking to Coach (Urban) Myer (head coach) from Ohio State, Coach KB (Keith Bhonapha – running backs) from Washington, Coach (Stan) Drayton from Texas (running backs), Coach (Michael) Pitre (running backs) from Oregon State, Coach (Jay) Graham from Texas A&M (running backs), Coach (Beau) Davidson (quality control) from Virginia Tech, and Coach (Brian) Niedermeyer (tight ends) from Tennessee.”
When you get on a call with a coach, what do you typically talk about and what questions do you normally ask?
“I usually ask how the team is doing and how the season is going. I will ask how some of the players doing, especially if I know some of the guys on the team. I will ask any questions about the coach to get to know them better, and they do the same back to me.”
Circling back. You just mentioned the Washington offer. How did Washington offer you?
“They have been watching film on me for a long time, and I have been going to their camps and visiting. They had me come out for a meeting today (Sunday). Coach (Chris) Petersen (head coach) and Coach KB talked to me about how they run things there and the type of players they are recruiting; they had a presentation for me. They told me that I fit their system and that they would like to offer me a scholarship.”
After all the time you have spent going to their camps, visiting, and talking with the various coaches, when they finally offered, what was your reaction?
“I was really grateful. I was wide-eyed. University of Washington is right across the bridge from me. I know my parents are happy about that, the opportunity to play at a great school near home. They have given me a great opportunity to be a hometown hero.”
I know the playoffs are starting and everything else takes a backseat, but do you have any upcoming visits planned?
“No. We have none scheduled. My dad and I are deciding for after the season which schools we may visit.”
Sam, great catching up with you today. Congrats on the Washington offer and good luck against Lake Washington.
“Thank you.”
2018 Eastside Catholic Schedule
Sept 1. – vs. Oaks Christian (CA) 35-12 loss
Sept. 8 – vs. Central Catholic at Seattle Memorial Stadium (won 49-26)
Sept. 14 – vs. Rigby at Eastside Catholic (won 34-6)
Sept. 20 – vs. Rainer Beach at Eastside Catholic (won 48-22)
Sept. 28 – vs. Garfield at Eastside Catholic (won 50-7)
Oct. 5 – at O’Dea (won 31-13)
Oct. 12 – vs. Seattle Prep (won 50-24)
Oct. 19 – at Bishop Blanchet (won 44-17)
Nov. 2 – vs. Ferndale (won 44-7)
Nov. 9 – vs. Lake Washington
Photo credit: recruitingnewsguru.com; Sam Adams II