Josh Adams
refer to caption
Adams with the New York Jets in 2019
Vanderbilt Commodores
Position:Offensive quality control
Personal information
Born: (1996-10-29) October 29, 1996 (age 27)
Warrington, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school:
College:Notre Dame (2015–2017)
Undrafted:2018
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
  • Vanderbilt (2023–present)
    Offensive quality control
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:680
Rushing average:4.3
Rushing touchdowns:5
Receptions:13
Receiving yards:87
Receiving touchdowns:0
Player stats at NFL.com

Josh Adams (born October 29, 1996) is a former American football running back and coach who is currently an offensive quality control coach at Vanderbilt. He played college football at Notre Dame, and he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2018.

Early years

Adams attended Central Bucks High School South in Warrington, Pennsylvania, where he played high school football for the Titans. As a sophomore, he rushed for 2,085 yards and 28 touchdowns. He rushed for 738 yards and 10 touchdowns his junior year in 2013 before suffering a torn ACL.[1][2] As a senior, he returned from his injury, rushing for 1,623 yards with 25 touchdowns. He was named to the All-USA Pennsylvania Football Team at running back and earned offensive player of the year honors, by USA Today.[3]

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated as the 47th best running back prospect of his class.[4] Adams committed to the University of Notre Dame to play college football over offers from Stanford, Penn State, and Wisconsin, among others.[5]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Josh Adams
RB 		Warrington, Pennsylvania Central Bucks High School South 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Jun 30, 2014 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:4/5 stars   Rivals:3/5 stars   247Sports: N/A    ESPN grade: 77
Overall recruiting rankings: Scout: 27 (RB), 199 (national)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Notre Dame Football Commitment List". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  • "Notre Dame College Football Recruiting Commits". Scout.com. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  • "Scout.com Team Recruiting Rankings". Scout.com. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  • "2015 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 11, 2016.

College career

Adams began his true freshman season in 2015 behind starter Tarean Folston and backup C. J. Prosise.[6] After Folston tore his ACL, he was given a larger role in the offense.[7] In his first college game against Texas, he rushed for 49 yards and scored two touchdowns.[8] Adams started his first game against Wake Forest, replacing Prosise who was injured the previous game. He rushed for 141 yards on 17 carries (8.3 avg), and scored a Notre Dame record 98-yard touchdown run.[9] Prosise would return the next game against Boston College; however, he was injured during the game and would not play again that season, leaving Adams as the starter for remainder of the year. Closing out the regular season at Stanford, Adams rushed for a 168 yards on 18 carries (9.3 avg) and one touchdown. He set a new Notre Dame record for rushing yards in a game for a freshman.[10] In the Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State, Adams ended his season rushing for 78 yards on 14 carries (5.6 avg) and adding one touchdown.[11] He finished his season rushing for 835 yards on 117 carries (7.1 avg), while rushing for six touchdowns.[12] His 835 yards on the season in 2015, set a new Notre Dame freshman record for rushing yards in a season, eclipsing the 786 garnered by Darius Walker, 2004.

Adams saw an expanded role in the 2016 season for the Fighting Irish. In the second game of the season against Nevada, he had 10 carries for 106 yards in the 39–10 victory.[13] On October 1, against Syracuse, he had 102 rushing yards.[14] On November 19, against Virginia Tech, he had 100 rushing yards to go along with a 22-yard reception in the 34–31 loss.[15] In the next game, against USC, he had 180 rushing yards in the regular season finale for the Fighting Irish.[16] Overall, Adams had 933 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on the season.[17]

Adams started his final season with the Fighting Irish strong with 161 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Temple.[18] Two weeks later, against Boston College, he had 229 rushing yards in the victory.[19] On September 30, against the Miami RedHawks, he had 159 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns in the victory.[20] On October 21, against USC, he had 191 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in the 49–14 victory.[21] The next week, against NC State, he had his second game of the year going over 200 rushing yards with 202.[22] Through eight games of the 2017 season, Adams ranked fifth among all Football Championship Subdivision players with 1,169 rushing yards on 132 carries.[23] Overall, he finished his final collegiate season with 1,430 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.[24] On January 5, 2018, Adams announced that he would forgo his senior year to pursue a career in the NFL.[25] Adams returned to classes at Notre Dame, and earned his Bachelor's degree in May 2020 with a major in Psychology from the College of Arts and Letters.[26][27]

Collegiate statistics

Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Year GP Rushing Receiving
Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD
2015 13 117 835 7.1 6 7 42 6.0 1
2016 12 158 933 5.9 5 21 193 9.2 1
2017 13 206 1,430 6.9 9 13 101 7.8 0
Career 481 3,198 6.6 20 41 336 8.2 2

Professional career

Philadelphia Eagles

Following the 2018 NFL Draft, Adams signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on May 11, 2018.[28] He was waived on September 1, 2018, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[29][30] He was promoted to the active roster on September 18, 2018.[31] In Week 3, against the Indianapolis Colts, Adams had six carries for 30 rushing yards in his NFL debut.[32] In Week 12, Adams rushed for 84 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries as the Eagles defeated the New York Giants 25–22.[33] In the next game, against the Washington Redskins, he had a season-high 85 rushing yards in the 28–13 victory.[34] Overall, he finished his rookie season with 511 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.[35] He made his playoff debut in the Wild Card Round against the Chicago Bears with two rushing yards on one carry in the 16–15 victory.[36]

Adams was waived by the Eagles during final roster cuts on August 31, 2019.[37]

New York Jets

On September 1, 2019, Adams was signed to the New York Jets practice squad.[38] He was promoted to the active roster on November 5.[39]

On September 5, 2020, Adams was waived by the Jets and signed to the practice squad the next day.[40][41] He was elevated to the active roster on September 12 for the team's Week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills and reverted to the practice squad on September 14.[42][43] He was again elevated to the active roster on September 19 for the team's Week 2 game against the San Francisco 49ers and reverted to the practice squad on September 21.[44][45] He was signed to the active roster on November 24.[46]

Adams signed a contract extension with the Jets on March 17, 2021.[47] He was waived on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day.[48][49] He was promoted to the active roster on September 6, 2021.[50] He was waived on October 2.[51]

New Orleans Saints

On November 10, 2021, Adams was signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad.[52] He was released on January 4, 2022. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on January 24, 2022.[53] He was waived on May 11, 2022.[54]

Michigan Panthers

On December 28, 2022, Adams signed with the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League (USFL).[55] However, on March 15, 2023, Adams retired from professional football to take a coaching position at Vanderbilt.

Coaching career

On March 15, 2023, Adams was hired as an offensive quality control coach at Vanderbilt.[56]

Philanthropy

On July 21, 2021, Adams broke ground at his boyhood playground in a project to upgrade the facility for current residents of his former Warrington neighborhood, Willow Knoll.[57][58][59]

References

  1. ^ O'Brien, Rick (October 9, 2013). "Football: C.B. South's Adams out for season". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
  2. ^ Vorel, Mike (December 31, 2015). "Notebook: Notre Dame RB Josh Adams cherishes injury adversity". NDInsider. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  3. ^ "2014 American Family Insurance ALL-USA Pennsylvania Football Team". USA Today High School Sports. December 25, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  4. ^ "Josh Adams, 2015 Running Back". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  5. ^ "Josh Adams Recruit Interests". 247sports.com. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  6. ^ "2015 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  7. ^ "C.J. Prosise, Josh Adams allow Notre Dame to stick to the plan". CSN Chicago. September 6, 2015. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  8. ^ "Notre Dame never felt like recruiting Josh Adams was a risk". CSN Chicago. September 8, 2015. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  9. ^ Pope, LaMond (November 14, 2015). "Josh Adams' record-setting run another example of next man up for Notre Dame". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  10. ^ Somogyi, Lou (October 13, 2016). "InsideNDSports - Notre Dame's Running Game Becomes Grounded Again". notredame.rivals.com. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  11. ^ "Fiesta Bowl – Notre Dame vs Ohio State Box Score, January 1, 2016". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  12. ^ "Josh Adams 2015 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  13. ^ Coyne, Tom (September 11, 2016). "Kizer leads No. 18 Notre Dame to 39–10 win over Nevada". AP NEWS. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  14. ^ Pope, LaMond (October 14, 2016). "Josh Adams, Notre Dame running backs to pick up the slack vs. Stanford". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  15. ^ "Irish Fall to Hokies in Home Finale, 34–31". UND Athletics. November 19, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  16. ^ "USC blows past Notre Dame; Kelly may be looking for another job". Chicago Sun-Times. Associated Press. November 26, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  17. ^ "Josh Adams 2016 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  18. ^ Pope, LaMond (September 2, 2017). "Notre Dame rushes for 422 yards in 49–16 rout of Temple". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  19. ^ "'We stuck with it.' How Josh Adams, Notre Dame ran over Boston College". Journal & Courier. September 16, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  20. ^ Pope, LaMond (September 30, 2017). "Josh Adams rushes for 159 yards as Notre Dame crushes Miami (Ohio) 52–17". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  21. ^ Wells, Adam (October 21, 2017). "Notre Dame Destroys USC 49–14; Josh Adams Goes for 191 Yards, 3 TDs". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  22. ^ Daniels, Tim (October 28, 2017). "Notre Dame Beats NC State 35–14; Josh Adams Rushes for 202 Yards". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  23. ^ "FBS (I-A) Player Rushing Statistics – 2017". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  24. ^ "Josh Adams 2017 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  25. ^ "Notre Dame's Josh Adams declares for NFL draft". Indy Star. January 5, 2018. Retrieved January 5, 2018.
  26. ^ Kerr, Jeff (May 23, 2019). "Josh Adams finishes Notre Dame education; gains mental strength". 247Sports. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  27. ^ "Former Notre Dame RB Josh Adams Added Another Touchdown on Sunday". May 17, 2020.
  28. ^ McPherson, Chris (May 11, 2018). "Eagles Sign 15 Rookie Free Agents". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  29. ^ McPherson, Chris (September 1, 2018). "Eagles Get To The 53-Player Limit". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  30. ^ Foley, Graham (September 2, 2018). "Eagles Sign 10 Players To Practice Squad". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  31. ^ Foley, Graham (September 18, 2018). "Eagles Promote Josh Adams, Waive DeAndre Carter". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  32. ^ "Unlikely three-headed monster delivers for Eagles". NBC Sports Philadelphia. September 23, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  33. ^ "Meet feature back Josh Adams". NBC Sports Philadelphia. November 26, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  34. ^ "Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles – December 3rd, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  35. ^ "Josh Adams 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  36. ^ "Wild Card – Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears – January 6th, 2019". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
  37. ^ "Eagles announce roster moves as team gets to 53-player limit". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. August 31, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  38. ^ Alper, Josh (September 1, 2019). "Jets add Josh Adams to their practice squad". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  39. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (November 5, 2019). "Jets Sign RB Josh Adams, LB Paul Worrilow to Active Roster". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  40. ^ Lange, Randy (September 5, 2020). "Jets Move 27 to Get Their Roster to 53-Player Limit". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  41. ^ Lange, Randy (September 6, 2020). "15 Signed to Practice Squad; All Were in Jets Training Camp". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  42. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (September 12, 2020). "Jets Sign QB Mike White and Elevate RB Josh Adams and WR Josh Malone". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  43. ^ Phillips, Gary (September 14, 2020). "Jets send Josh Adams, Josh Malone back to practice squad". USAToday.com. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  44. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (September 19, 2020). "Jets Sign LB Alec Ogletree and Elevate RB Josh Adams and WR Josh Malone". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  45. ^ "Josh Adams: Drops back to practice roster". CBSSports.com. September 21, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  46. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (November 24, 2020). "Jets Sign RB Josh Adams, Place La'Mical Perine on Injured Reserve". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  47. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (March 17, 2021). "Jets Re-Sign RB Josh Adams". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  48. ^ Lange, Randy; Greenberg, Ethan (August 31, 2021). "Jets Remove 27 Players from Roster to Reach 53-Man Limit". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  49. ^ "Jets Sign 13 to the Practice Squad". NewYorkJets.com. September 1, 2021. Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  50. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (September 6, 2021). "Jets Sign S Sheldrick Redwine, RB Josh Adams". NewYorkJets.com. Archived from the original on November 30, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  51. ^ Greenberg, Ethan (October 2, 2021). "Jets Activate S Ashtyn Davis, S Sharrod Neasman". NewYorkJets.com. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  52. ^ Sigler, John (November 10, 2021). "Saints sign RB Josh Adams to practice squad after tryout". Saints Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  53. ^ "New Orleans Saints sign running back Josh Adams and wide receiver Kirk Merritt to Reserve/Future contracts". NewOrleansSaints.com. January 24, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  54. ^ Hendrix, John (May 11, 2022). "Report: Saints Releasing Josh Adams". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  55. ^ @USFLPanthers (December 28, 2022). "Free Agent Signing" (Tweet). Retrieved December 28, 2022 – via Twitter.
  56. ^ @USFLShadow (March 15, 2023). "If you weren't aware: RB Josh Adams who the @USFLPanthers signed during the offseason has retired" (Tweet). Retrieved March 15, 2023 – via Twitter.
  57. ^ "Park Groundbreaking".
  58. ^ "Warrington Township to break ground on DocterAdams Community Park". July 12, 2021.
  59. ^ Siock, Sarah (July 21, 2021). "NY Jets' Josh Adams, a CB South grad, returns home to lead park renovation in Warrington". Bucks County Courier Times. Retrieved October 31, 2022.

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