Interview: 2020 Bryant LB/RB Ahmad Adams Gives Insight to Arkansas State Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The commitment of Class of 2020 running back/linebacker Ahmad Adams may not have attracted national attention, but believe it, Arkansas State landed a commitment from a national talent who has been flying under the radar. The 6-1, 235-pound, athlete was key player in Bryant High School’s run to a 7A Arkansas state championship in 2018 carrying the rock 65 times for 408 yards with seven touchdowns. Even though he split time between both sides of the ball only playing seven games at linebacker during his junior season, he still earned first team 7A Central All-Conference honors as a defender.
With four offers on the table (Arkansas State, Austin Peay, Grambling, and Illinois State) and after his Hornets squad opened the 2019 season with a 42-14 win over rival Benton, Adams committed to the Red Wolves on Monday, Sept. 2. For insight on his commitment with a brief update on Game 1 of his senior season, Adams and I sat down for a quick update interview.
*Click link for Aug 2, 2019, RNG interview with Ahmad Adams
Interview
Ahmad, congratulations on your commitment to Arkansas State.
“Thank you.”
How did the relationship with the Red Wolves coaching staff go from interest to offer on July 29 and then to a verbal commitment on Sept. 2?
“They saw me at a camp, I think. They invited me to their camp about three weeks prior. I was not sure if I was going to go. Coach (David) Duggan called me asking me to go. I went, we talked, and after the camp was over they said I did well; I lined up at linebacker at that camp. When the camp was over, they asked me to call them when I got home. I called Coach Duggan and they offered me. We have been talking since then. When they contact me, they ask how school is going, about my workouts, and about our game against Benton. That is how it grew.”
When did you start to feel that Arkansas State was the place for you?
“I visited over the spring; the camp was my second time to go there. When I was there for the spring game, I was paying attention. Their calls were a lot like the calls at my school. The coaches act and talk like the coaches on my team; it felt like home. I was used to everything they were doing.”
How did you notify the coaching staff you were committing?
“I called Coach Duggan. We were talking about how everything was going – the game against SMU and how Coach (Blake) Anderson (head coach) is doing. I told him that my mom and I had talked. I told him I wanted to go to A-State for college.”
What was his reaction?
“He said that I had just made his day.”
I bet. Getting that verbal commitment in is such a big deal for any high school athlete, what was that moment like just before you told the coaches?
“It was a lot of pressure released. I don’t have to worry about school now and my mom does not have to worry about paying for my college. There was a lot of pressure that was gone as soon as I committed.”
At which position did they offer you?
“At linebacker.”
How do they plan to utilize your skills within their defensive scheme?
“They didn’t tell me exactly yet. They told me that I would be a great fit at linebacker for them.”
Nice. Turning to your senior season. The team opened the schedule with a big win against crosstown rival Benton (42-14). How did the game go for you personally?
“The game went well. My offensive line did a great job. They did a great job blocking for me. They came out fighting from the start; they played amazingly. I was able to run how I wanted to run because of them.”
**Adams rushed 13 times for 84 yards with three touchdowns in the opener
You guys get a bye this week and then pick back up with a talented Bentonville West squad. What kind of game are you preparing for against the Wolverines?
“They are known for their linebackers. We will have to play through or around their linebackers.”
Which other games left on the schedule are big ones for you and the Hornets?
“The big games we have left on the schedule are Fayetteville (Sept. 20), North Little Rock (Nov. 1) – that is on senior night and a rematch for championship game, and Conway (Nov. 8).”
Ahmad, congratulations again on your commitment and good luck with the rest of the upcoming season.
“Thank you.”
Photo credit: Adams family; Ahmad Adams