Adams draws praise at defensive tackle

Tech is five practices into spring practice, and defensive tackle Brandon Adams is making a clear impression. Coach Paul Johnson mentioned him Saturday for his work in that day’s full-pads practice.

Both defensive coordinator Ted Roof and defensive line coach Mike Pelton acknowledged his performance Monday.

“I’ll tell you what I’ve seen is Brandon Adams has lost some weight, and it’s made him a better football player,” Roof said. “A lot more active, a lot more productive and if he continues to do that, I think he can be a really good player for us.”

Adams, who played last season as a freshman, was listed at 6-foot-2 and 349 pounds. Pelton said that he is around 335 now, with a target weight of 315-320 pounds. Last season, Adams was used in goal-line and short-yardage situations, but was limited to playing two or three snaps at a time because his conditioning level was not high enough to stay on the field longer. He played in nine games and was credited with seven tackles.

“He’s moving a little bit better,” Pelton said. “He really needs to be a player for us next year.”

Tech is short on experience at the interior of the defensive line, which is the source of Pelton’s urgency.

“Hopefully this season he wants to play more, and I think he does,” Pelton said. “I think he wants to contribute and that’s all good for everybody, because we need him to.”