Receiver recruit CJ Adams brings deeper football knowledge to South Carolina

CJ Adams got his start in flag football at 3 years old, playing against 4-year-olds. But what he values about the University of South Carolina goes beyond what it offers as a football program.

The three-star wide receiver in the Gamecocks’ 2023 recruiting class remembered visiting Shane Beamer’s house for the first time, with his brothers running around while he talked to the USC head coach. Adams was impressed with the way the coaching staff treated and interacted with his family.

“It’s not all about football with them,” Adams said. “They want to know how you are doing mentally, emotionally, physically.”

Adams — as an athlete and a person — likes to keep his options open.

He grew up in Fitzgerald, Georgia before moving as a ninth-grader to Mableton, where he attends Pebblebrook High School. Adams played quarterback for years before fully transitioning to wide receiver.

Leading an offense gave him the ability to read defenses and understand ball placement, attributes that, he said, made him a better receiver.

“Quarterback is probably, I want to say, top three hardest position I’ve ever played,” Adams said. “You can’t just get back there and freestyle at quarterback. That’s really what I did. But I just got back there and I just did whatever and I just dealt with what happened.”

Adams had experience at wide receiver when he was younger, but he arrived to Pebblebrook as a QB. He shifted to become a pass catcher because of his size, speed and shiftiness.

Before games, he’d watch the college highlights of such players as De’Anthony Thomas, Tyrann Mathieu and Tavon Austin.

“When I’m running my routes, I already know what zone I need to sit in, or where I need to be to catch the ball,” he said.

As seriously as Adams takes football, his interest was shared by another sport growing up.

He took up an early liking of basketball, and even played on the varsity team for the Falcons after his football seasons ended. He ultimately sided with football long term because of the opportunities to play.

“Basketball is two rounds and (the NBA Draft is) 60 picks,” Adams said. “You have to be amazing to go to the NBA Draft. You have to be ‘him.’ Football, they give you chances. So I realized I’d rather take my chances than 60 picks.”

Adams felt he could develop his talent in any conference, but the caliber of SEC football — and the attention that it brings — is something he gave thought to.

“I feel like SEC football is a different breed of football,” he said. “It’s showcased more. Your talents are displayed more. It’s a competitive conference.”

Adams has goals away from the football field once he gets to Columbia in June.

He intends to study civil engineering, creating blueprints for buildings. He’s taken graphic design classes at Pebblebrook.

In his downtime, he makes sketches of different cartoon characters.

“I’m good with that stuff,” Adams said. “That’s my hidden talent. I can draw.”

Adams is looking forward to seeing new surroundings when he gets to USC.

He’s been in Georgia for much of his life, so the opportunity to get to Soda City will allow him to get familiar with a new scene.

“I’m really going because I want to change my background,” Adams said. “I see the same stuff every day. I want to experience a new surrounding, be surrounded by new people and meet my new teammates.”