{{Short description|American football player (born 1992)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = Jerell Adams | image = Jerell Adams.JPG | alt = | caption = Adams with the New York Giants in 2017 | current_team = | number = 89 | position = Tight end | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|12|31}} | birth_place = Pinewood, South Carolina, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 5 | weight_lbs = 254 | high_school = Scott's Branch {{avoid wrap|(Summerton, South Carolina)}} | college = South Carolina | draftyear = 2016 | draftround = 6 | draftpick = 184 | pastteams = * New York Giants ({{NFL Year|2016}}–{{NFL Year|2017}}) * Houston Texans ({{NFL Year|2018}}–{{NFL Year|2019}})* * New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2019}})* * Baltimore Ravens ({{NFL Year|2020}})* * Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|2020}})* * Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|2021}})* | statlabel1 = Receptions | statvalue1 = 24 | statlabel2 = Receiving yards | statvalue2 = 214 | statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns | statvalue3 = 1 | pfr = A/AdamJe01 }}
'''Jerell D. Adams''' (born December 31, 1992) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks.
==Early life== Adams attended Scott's Branch High School in Summerton, South Carolina. He played football and basketball. In football, he played quarterback, tight end, linebacker, defensive end and punter. During his career he passed for 689 yards with 12 touchdowns and had 21 receptions for 581 yards and eight receiving touchdowns on offense. As a senior in basketball, he averaged 19 points and 13 rebounds as a junior. Adams spent a year at Fork Union Military Academy after high school.
==College career== Adams played at South Carolina from 2012 to 2015. During his career, he played in 47 games with 15 starts, finishing with 66 receptions for 977 yards and seven touchdowns.<ref>[http://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article62584857.html Jerell Adams wants to keep his NFL Draft stock on the rise]</ref><ref>[http://thetandd.com/sports/s_carolina/it-s-looking-like-jerell-adams-world/article_07e5eee0-06f3-11e3-867e-001a4bcf887a.html It's looking like Jerell Adams' world]</ref><ref>[https://www.nfl.com/news/jerell-adams-excited-by-two-tight-end-system-revival-0ap3000000653471 Jerell Adams excited by two tight-end system revival]</ref><ref>[http://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/sports/college/usc/2015/08/10/usc-tight-end-jerell-adams-seeks-elusive-big-year/31410799/ USC tight end Jerell Adams seeks elusive 'big year']</ref>
==Professional career== ===Pre-draft=== On December 14, 2015, it was announced that Adams had accepted his invitation to play in the 2016 Senior Bowl.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 14, 2014 |title=Adams accepts Senior Bowl invite |url=https://247sports.com/college/south-carolina/Bolt/Adams-accepts-Senior-Bowl-invite-42023173 |website=247sports.com}}{{dead link|date=April 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> Throughout Senior Bowl practices, Adams garnered attention and impressed scouts by showcasing his blocking ability and making multiple difficult catches.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Knox Bardeen |date=January 28, 2016 |title=2016 Senior Bowl: Ex-South Carolina TE Jerell Adams stole the show at Thursday's practice |url=https://www.seccountry.com/south-carolina/2016-senior-bowl-te-jerell-adams-stole-the-show-at-thursdays-practice-session/amp |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=seccountry.com}}</ref> On January 30, 2016, Adams made three receptions for 49 yards and was a part of Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley's South team that defeated the North 27-16.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reese's Senior Bowl: Summary |url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/boxscore?gameId=400859832 |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Adams was one of 15 collegiate tight ends to attend the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana. He ran the fastest 40-yard dash among all tight ends and finished seventh in the vertical jump and three-cone drill.<ref>{{Cite web |last=James Brady |date=February 27, 2016 |title=NFL Combine 2016 results: Full times, measurements for tight ends |url=https://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2016/2/27/11126486/2016-nfl-combine-results-tight-end-drills |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=sbnation.com}}</ref> On March 30, 2016, Adams attended South Carolina's pro day, along with Brandon Shell, Pharoh Cooper, Brandon Wilds, and 13 other prospects.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2016 |title=South Carolina football Pro Day testing results, numbers |url=https://www.thestate.com/sports/college/university-of-south-carolina/usc-football/article69035112.html |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=thestate.com}}</ref> He opted to stand on his combine numbers and perform only positional drills and the bench press for scouts and team representatives from all 32 NFL teams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WR Cooper works out for NFL execs on South Carolina pro day |url=https://www.usatoday.com/amp/82440426 |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=usatoday.com}}</ref> At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Adams was projected to be a third or fourth round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He was ranked the second best tight end in the draft by NFL analyst Mike Mayock, was ranked the fourth best tight end by NFLDraftScout.com, and the fifth best tight end by ''Sports Illustrated''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jerell Adams, DS #4 TE, South Carolina |url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=121789&draftyear=2016&genpos=TE |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=nfldraftscout.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chris Burke |date=April 12, 2016 |title=2016 NFL draft position rankings |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/2016/04/12/nfl-draft-2016-position-rankings-players-prospects |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=si.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mike Mayock |date=April 27, 2016 |title=Mike Mayock's 2016 NFL Draft position rankings 5.0 |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000656285/article/mike-mayocks-2016-nfl-draft-position-rankings-50 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160428120518/http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000656285/article/mike-mayocks-2016-nfl-draft-position-rankings-50 |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 28, 2016 |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> {{nfl predraft | height ft = 6 | height in = 5+1/8 | weight = 247 | dash = 4.64 | ten split = 1.64 | twenty split = 2.72 | shuttle = 4.31 | cone drill = 7.05 | vertical = 32+1/2 | broad ft = 9 | broad in = 9 | bench = 18 | wonderlic = | arm span = 34+3/8 | hand span = 9+3/4 | note = All values from NFL Combine/South Carolina's Pro Day<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Draft Profile: Jerell Adams |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/jerell-adams?id=2555311 |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> }}
===New York Giants=== ====2016==== The New York Giants selected Adams in the sixth round (184th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft. He was the seventh tight end selected and was the last of three South Carolina players drafted, after Pharoh Cooper and Brandon Shell.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2016 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2016/draft.htm |access-date=2023-05-15 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> On May 6, 2016, the Giants signed Adams to a four-year, $2.48 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $142,855.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jerell Adams Contract Details |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/new-york-giants/jerell-adams-19138/ |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=Spotrac.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Michael |date=May 6, 2016 |title=Giants sign four draft picks & 14 undrafted free agents |url=http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Giants-sign-four-draft-picks--14-undrafted-free-agents/bce88848-ed81-4d6a-8e99-26f19049be9d |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803005711/http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Giants-sign-four-draft-picks--14-undrafted-free-agents/bce88848-ed81-4d6a-8e99-26f19049be9d |archive-date=August 3, 2017 |access-date=August 4, 2016 |website=Giants.com }}</ref>
Throughout training camp, he competed with Matt LaCosse, Larry Donnell, Will Tye, and Ryan Malleck for the job as the starting tight end. Head coach Ben McAdoo named him the third tight end on the Giants' depth chart, behind veterans Donnell and Tye.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ed Valentine |date=September 5, 2016 |title=New York Giants' unofficial depth chart as 2016 season is set to begin |url=https://www.bigblueview.com/2016/9/5/12798450/new-york-giants-unofficial-depth-chart-2016 |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=bigblueview.com}}</ref>
On September 18, 2016, he made his professional regular season debut in the Giants' 16–13 victory over the New Orleans Saints in Week 2. On October 9, 2016, Adams made two receptions for 27 yards during the Giants' 23–16 loss at the Green Bay Packers. He made his first career reception on a 13-yard pass by Eli Manning in the fourth quarter before being tackled by linebacker Joe Thomas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Game Center: Week 5-2016: New York Giants @ Green Bay Packers |url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016100911/2016/REG5/giants@packers |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> On November 6, 2016, Adams caught three passes for a season-high 24 receiving yards during a 28–23 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The following week, he caught a season-high tying three passes for 18-yards and a touchdown in a 21–20 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 10. He scored his first career touchdown on a ten-yard pass by Eli Manning in the first quarter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Game Center: Week 10-2016: Cincinnati Bengals @ New York Giants |url=http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2016111400/2016/REG10/bengals@giants#game-stats-home |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> In Week 15, Adams earned his first career start and had three catches for 18-yards as the Giants defeated the Detroit Lions 17–6. He was inactive for the Giants' 19-10 victory over the Washington Redskins in Week 17. He finished the {{NFL Year|2016}} season with 16 receptions for 122 receiving yards and one touchdown in 13 games and two starts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Jerell Adam (2016) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/jerelladams/2555311/gamelogs?season=2016 |access-date=January 8, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> The Giants finished with an 11-5 record and received a playoff berth after finishing second in the NFC East. Adams was inactive for their NFC Wildcard loss to the Packers.
====2017==== Adams entered training camp competing against Rhett Ellison, Tye, and LaCosse for the second tight end position behind rookie first round pick Evan Engram. New head coach Ben McAdoo named Adams the No. 3 tight end behind Engram and Ellison to begin the regular season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ed Valentine |date=September 5, 2017 |title=Giants 2017 Depth Chart: Let's See What It Looks Like |url=https://www.bigblueview.com/2017/9/5/16256802/ny-giants-2017-depth-chart-lets-see-what-it-looks-like |access-date=January 9, 2018 |website=BigBlueView.com}}</ref>
On September 18, 2017, Adams had one reception for a season-high 38 receiving yards in a 24–10 loss to the Detroit Lions. McAdoo was fired after Week 13, due to the Giants poor 2-10 record. On December 24, he made a season-high four receptions for 31-yards as the Giants lost 23–0 at the Arizona Cardinals. He finished the {{NFL Year|2017}} season with eight receptions for 92 receiving yards in 16 games and one start.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NFL Player stats: Jerell Adams (2017) |url=http://www.nfl.com/player/jerelladams/2555311/gamelogs?season=2017 |access-date=January 9, 2018 |website=NFL.com}}</ref>
====2018==== On September 2, 2018, Adams was waived by the Giants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen, Michael |date=September 2, 2018 |title=Giants waive QB Davis Webb, announce practice squad among roster moves |url=https://www.giants.com/news/giants-waive-qb-davis-webb-announce-practice-squad-among-roster-moves |website=Giants.com}}</ref>
===Houston Texans=== On October 10, 2018, Adams was signed to the Houston Texans' practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson, Aaron |date=October 10, 2018 |title=Texans sign TE Jerell Adams to practice squad, work out 2 other TEs |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-sign-TE-Jerell-Adams-to-practice-squad-13297209.php |website=Chron.com}}</ref> He signed a reserve/future contract with Houston on January 7, 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2019 |title=TRANSACTIONS: Texans sign eight players to reserve/future contracts |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/transactions-texans-sign-eight-players-to-reserve-future-contracts |access-date=January 7, 2019 |website=HoustonTexans.com |archive-date=January 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108100843/https://www.houstontexans.com/news/transactions-texans-sign-eight-players-to-reserve-future-contracts |url-status=dead }}</ref>
On October 1, 2019, Adams was waived by the Texans and was subsequently re-signed to the team's practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 1, 2019 |title=Texans cut tight end Jerell Adams |url=https://texanswire.usatoday.com/2019/10/01/texans-cut-te-jerell-adams/ |website=Texans Wire |publisher=USA Today}}</ref> He was released by Houston on December 3.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 3, 2019 |title=Texans sign ILB Nate Hall to practice squad |url=https://www.houstontexans.com/news/texans-sign-ilb-nate-hall-to-practice-squad |website=HoustonTexans.com}}</ref>
===New Orleans Saints=== On December 12, 2019, Adams was signed to the New Orleans Saints' practice squad.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 12, 2019 |title=Saints sign TE Jerell Adams to practice squad, release OL Nate Wozniak |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_912c7108-1d29-11ea-bfb6-c73ade610ee2.html |website=NOLA.com}}</ref> He was released by New Orleans on December 27.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 27, 2019 |title=Saints swap practice squad tight ends, sign Cole Wick and waive Jerell Adams |url=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/2019/12/27/jerell-adams-saints-roster-moves-practice-squad-cole-wick/ |website=Saints Wire |publisher=USA Today}}</ref>
===Baltimore Ravens=== Adams signed with the Baltimore Ravens on August 3, 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Brown, Clifton |date=August 3, 2020 |title=Ravens Sign Jerell Adams to Compete for Third Tight End Spot |work=BaltimoreRavens.com |url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-sign-jerell-adams-to-compete-for-third-tight-end-spot |access-date=August 3, 2020}}</ref> On September 5, the Ravens released Adams, before re-signing him to their practice squad the next day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stevens |first=Matthew |date=5 September 2020 |title=Ravens cut TEs Jerell Adams, Eli Wolf, and Charles Scarff |url=https://ravenswire.usatoday.com/2020/09/05/ravens-cut-tes-jerell-adams-eli-wolf-and-charles-scarff/ |access-date=5 September 2020 |website=Ravens Wire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=Clifton |title=Ravens Announce 16-Man Practice Squad |url=https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/ravens-announce-16-man-practice-squad |access-date=10 September 2020 |website=BaltimoreRavens.com |publisher=Baltimore Ravens}}</ref> Adams was released by Baltimore on October 6.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bouda, Nate |date=October 6, 2020 |title=Ravens Release TE Jerell Adams From PS, Activate LB Kristian Welch |work=NFLTradeRumors.co |url=https://nfltraderumors.co/ravens-release-te-jerell-adams-from-ps-activate-lb-kristian-welch/ |access-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref>
===Detroit Lions=== On December 9, 2020, Adams signed with the practice squad of the Detroit Lions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schlitt |first=Erik |date=December 9, 2020 |title=Detroit Lions sign TE Jerell Adams to the practice squad |url=https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2020/12/09/detroit-lions-sign-te-jerell-adams-to-the-practice-squad/ |access-date=2025-01-26 |website=Lions Wire |publisher=USA Today}}</ref>
===Tampa Bay Buccaneers=== On May 17, 2021, Adams signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith, Scott |date=May 17, 2021 |title=Bucs Sign Four Veterans After Weekend Tryout |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-sign-nfl-veterans-adams-hamilton-pope-riley-roster-moves |website=Buccaneers.com}}</ref> He was released by the Buccaneers on August 31.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith, Scott |date=September 1, 2021 |title=Ryan Griffin, Antonio Hamilton Among Bucs' Cuts to Get to 53 |url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/buccaneers-53-man-roster-cut-down-training-camp-2021-transactions |website=Buccaneers.com}}</ref>
== NFL career statistics == {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="2" |Legend |- | style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;" | |Led the league |- |'''Bold''' |Career high |}
=== Regular season === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" ! rowspan="2" |Year ! rowspan="2" |Team ! colspan="2" |Games ! colspan="5" |Receiving ! colspan="2" |Fumbles |- !GP !GS !Rec !Yds !Avg !Lng !TD !Fum !Lost |- !2016 !NYG |13 |'''2''' |'''16''' |'''122''' |7.6 |14 |'''1''' |'''1''' |0 |- !2017 !NYG |'''16''' |1 |8 |92 |'''11.5''' |'''38''' |0 |0 |0 |- ! colspan="2" |Career !29 !3 !24 !214 !8.9 !38 !1 !1 !0 |}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/jerell_adams_742858.html South Carolina Gamecocks bio] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403192306/http://www.gamecocksonline.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/jerell_adams_742858.html |date=April 3, 2016 }}
{{Giants2016DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Adams, Jerell}} Category:1992 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from South Carolina Category:People from Pinewood, South Carolina Category:American football tight ends Category:South Carolina Gamecocks football players Category:New York Giants players Category:Houston Texans players Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:New Orleans Saints players Category:Baltimore Ravens players Category:Detroit Lions players Category:Tampa Bay Buccaneers players