BJ Adams, CB, UCF
Size:
Height: 6016
Weight: 182
Arm: 31 ¾”
Hand: 8 ¾”
Accomplishments:
Three-star recruit
“BJ Adams is a long and physical press-man-style corner who uses timely jabs in man coverage to shut down opposing receivers.”
Strengths:
Press coverage
NFL prototype frame
Athletic
Physicality through stem
Footwork
Concerns:
Tackling mentality
Recovery speed
Grabby
Film Analysis:
BJ Adams began his football journey doing some of everything for Arabia Mountain High School in Lithonia, Georgia. He played cornerback, free safety, quarterback, running back, and wide receiver. His experience allowed him to get on the field early for UCF. As a freshman, he appeared in 12 games, starting four. Throughout his career, Adams has had 11 total passes defensed with two interceptions, both of which came in 2024.
Adams profiles well for the NFL with his tall frame and long arms as a boundary corner. He’s patient and technical on the outside, with press-man being his most effective and knowledgeable skill. He mirrors release packages well and times jabs to throw off the timing of the receiver and reroute them. Throwing the correct hand can make all the difference in a rep; more often than not, he doesn’t lock his hips with the wrong arm. He can be grabby and physical throughout the stem, but his hip fluidity to flip and run with receivers is surprisingly effective. When he’s in the hip pocket of receivers, he maintains his aggressiveness and makes plays on the football regularly. Adams will look for the football at the catch point but can mix between playing the ball in the air and the receiver.
He feels more uncomfortable in off-coverage but rotates back into cover 3 shells and will play as a hook/flat defender. With more time to think, his footwork can get sloppy, and he tends to fall behind receivers more quickly. His frame is excellent for NFL standards, but the quickness with which he can stop and start in off-coverage to cover routes gets tested regularly. He will make anticipatory plays downhill when he recognizes the play before him with a quick click and close ability.
The main knock on Adams is that he shows no interest in contributing against the run and is unwilling to tackle, particularly as a pursuit defender. There’s a play against Iowa State where the quarterback escapes the pocket and is scrambling for yards while Adams stays in front of an offensive player, not showing much interest in getting involved. He must show he can be a run defender and hit ball carriers. His recovery speed deep wasn’t tested much because of his press-man technique, but I wonder if it’ll hold up against speedy NFL receivers.
Adams is a technician in press-man coverage and will make his fair share of plays on the ball in one-on-one coverage, but he needs to clean up the zone comfort and willingness to tackle if he’s going to stick and make an impact in the NFL.
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Written By: Daniel Harms
Exposures: Iowa State (2024), TCU (2024), Colorado (2024)