MOORE — Jalen Adams didn’t see the offer coming. When the Southmoore junior wideout attended the Tulsa game against Rice, he just thought he might meet some players and coaches.
But Adams was surprised to get his first official scholarship offer.
“I went out there and after the game, I went into the locker room and coach (Tulsa offensive coordinator) Greg Peterson came up to me and told me they were offering me a scholarship,” Adams said. “It was exciting, getting my first offer. I was happy. I was astonished. All that. It was great.”
After playing sparingly as a sophomore, Adams came into this season and became the SaberCats’ biggest threat in the passing game. He led the team with 39 receptions, 766 yards and eight touchdown catches.
Despite that, Adams was still shocked when the Golden Hurricanes came with the offer.
“I really didn’t think I was going to be able get offered at all until I came on and started to do my thing,” Adams said. “I really found myself this year in football. I really found what I was capable of, what I was able to do. It really showed me who I am. It led me to this point. I am really excited to see what’s coming up in the future and what the future holds for me in college football.”
Up until this season, the 5-11, 162-pound Adams has mostly focused on track. He finished in the top five in both the 100- and 200-meter sprints at the 6A state track and field championships as a sophomore and plans to come back this year and take them both.
But Adams now believes his path is on the gridiron. With a year left of prep football, he plans to do everything he can to ensure it stays that way.
“I want to play college football,” Adams said. “I am hoping and praying that I can continue to stay healthy, continue to get better and reach my goal of playing college ball. Whatever the best offer is. Education, academics and stuff like that. No particular school, but definitely some place that is going to help me excel in the future.”
Michael Kinney Follow me @eyeamtruth mkinney@mooreamerican.com
