JaMarcus Shephard is overjoyed about the room he is coaching for Alabama football.
The co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach had success at Washington — putting Rome Odunze, Ja’Lynn Polk, and Jalen McMillan in the National Football League — but now he’s with the Crimson Tide. Shephard highlighted his group of playmakers in an interview with Tide 100.9, but he singled out a name that is emerging as a ‘playmaker in any situation.’
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Cole Adams, a redshirt freshman from Owasso, Okla., is a name that cannot be ignored any more.
The former four-star in the 2023 class has caught everyone’s attention, including Shephard’s.
He played on a Southeastern Conference Championship team last year, yet Adams is ready to do more. Adams brought in world-class speed and football skills at 5-foot-10 and 186 pounds.
He ran the indoor 60 meter dash at 6.98 seconds, the 100 meter dash at 10.65 seconds, and the 200 meter dash at 22.27 seconds in high school.
Adams’ versatility was special for Owasso High School as a receiver and return man.
He caught 55 passes for 913 yards and eight touchdowns in his junior season. Adams also had three kickoff returns and two punt returns for touchdowns that year in 2022. He made several tough receptions in the spring game at Bryant-Denny Stadium, showing coaches, teammates, and fans his ability to step up. Shephard said Adams ‘has shown a ton of flashes’ on the field.
“I’ll tell you a guy that has really stepped up to the plate, and has shown some grit, some toughness, some ability to go out there in any situation and make the plays and that’s Cole Adams,” Shephard said to Tide 100.9. “I’m really excited about how he’s been able to really flourish in the offense.”
Adams’ growth and development will make him a marquee contributor at receiver this season.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
