The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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32 ■ THE WOLFPACKER times these days, when guys have adverse situations, they don't stick to it. They transfer or hang it up or they don't develop." Adams calls his leadership a combination of doing it by example, but also having a "better voice." "Everything is on the line and I probably should have done it earlier, but bet- ter late than never," Adams said. "I want to make sure whatever I do on and off the field is correct, so everybody can look up to [me] in every aspect." Prescod is still impressed with how Adams was able to adeptly start as a true freshman. Becoming a four- year starter at any position is extremely dif- ficult, but especially on the offensive line and without redshirting. Prescod redshirted that 2014 season and knows how he needed that time to learn and adjust to college football. "I got to see everything he did that season," Prescod said. "It was really impressive. As soon as he stepped on the field, it just clicked for him. He looked like everybody else." Adams, who was on the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy — which is awarded to the nation's top offensive line- man — has more than earned the respect of his teammates on both sides of the ball. Star senior defensive end Bradley Chubb talks with Adams about how to best lead the team. "Tony has been an outstanding leader," Chubb said. "Him being voted a team captain this year really helped him become more vocal." Chubb recalled how the team captains had a dinner prior to the season starting, and Ad- ams wanted to know how to approach differ- ent aspects. "I told him how I had to learn how to talk to people more and talk to people better," Chubb said. "I told him I learned that you can't talk to everyone the same way. "He has taken that role and that concept and applied it to the offensive line. They are doing outstanding right now." Since Adams didn't redshirt, he'll have the weird dynamic of watching his four friends on the offensive line continue on without him next year. "It was a really good experience to have that year to start [as a freshman], and be able to tell them, 'This is what you do here,' to the guys that redshirted that year," Adams said. "It's going to be sad next year. I live with the guys now, and they will be doing everything without me. "We've been together for so long and do everything together." Adams knows the offseason will be crucial for him. He was always expected to start at center at some point at NC State, but it never materialized. Adams suspects his best chance of having a long NFL career is making the move to the pivot, to go with the versatility of playing guard. Former teammate Joe Thuney, a left guard for the reigning NFL champion New England Patriots, has inspired Adams on his future goals. "He is someone that I did daily things with; and he made it at my position," Adams said. "We are obviously different players. You understand what your potential could be as a player. "All of us know that, not because he did it, but since he did it." Adams hopes to earn a spot in one of the various postseason all-star games, which will give him the chance to show off his center skills. "I never expected that," Adams said of never playing center full time while in col- lege. "Whatever my coaches need me to do in order to win, I'll do. I can do whatever they need. "The NFL is going to put me at center regardless. It's real for me, and I know it will happen." ■ Adams was named second-team All-ACC as a junior while playing 93 percent of the team's snaps and not allowing a sack. In this year's first eight games, he has not allowed a sack and played 590 of a possible 606 snaps (97 percent) to rank second on the squad to quarterback Ryan Finley (595). PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA "Tony has been an outstanding leader. Him being voted a team captain this year really helped him become more vocal." ■ Senior defensive end Bradley Chubb on Adams