By Thomas Grant, Jr.
After dazzling Palmetto State football fans and making state history at Gray Collegiate Academy, running back K.Z. Adams has taken his talents to Orangeburg.
The first-ever South Carolina high school player to rush for over 3,000 yards in a season transferred to South Carolina State. This after spending two seasons, one redshirt, at Georgia State.
Video interview with S C State running back KZ Adams of Gray Collegiate
According to Adams, it was a ” no-brainer” to become a Bulldog. This was especially true after Chennis Berry was hired to replace head coaching legend Oliver “Buddy” Pough following his retirement.
“He recruited me in high school,” he said. “So I always kept a great relationship with him.”
There are also the four Pro Football Hall of Famers – more than every Palmetto State school combined – and numerous All-Pros who previously performed at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium on Willie Jeffries Field.
Adding to Adams’ comfort level at his new school is playing behind an experienced offensive line with familiar faces. Both guards Cam Johnson of Dutch Fork and Nick Taiste, a preseason Football Championship Subdivision All-American, and former War Eagle Whelson McCleod are among the returning players.
“I love everything about the (offensive line),” Adams said. “I played with some of them. Played against them. So once I found out all of them were coming back, it was like a easy no- brainer for me.”
Berry is pleased with the progress Adams has made during the preseason. His goal is to see him develop into even more of a “complete back” in other areas.
“We know that when he’s in space, he’s special,” he said. “But he also has to buy into protection. He has to buy into all the parts of his game. He has really done that. Being physical.
“He is known to make people miss. But I say sometimes, you’ve got to go get that hard yard and go run through people. So, he’s put it all together. I think he’s had a really, really good camp and I can’t wait to see him when the season starts.”
S.C. State opens at 6 p.m. Saturday against Florida A&M. The game is available on ESPN+.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
(Thursday’s Game)
Presbyterian at Mercer 7 p.m.
Wofford at Gardner-Webb 7 p.m.
Coastal Carolina at Jacksonville State 8 p.m.
(Saturday’s Games)
Clemson at Georgia noon
Old Dominion at South Carolina 4:15 p.m.
The Citadel at Charleston Southern 6 p.m.
S.C. State at Florida A&M 6 p.m.
Furman at Ole Miss 7 p.m.
(Sunday’s Game)
Benedict College at Virginia State 4 p.m.
