Adams returning to Clemson

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Posted 6:43PM on Saturday, January 14, 2006

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) Several times this week, defensive end Gaines Adams thought he had played his final game for Clemson. On Saturday, though, Adams decided he had much more to gain both professionally and personally if he stayed with the Tigers. Adams, a 6-foot-5, 260-pound junior, ended weeks of speculation about his future, forgoing the NFL draft to remain in college one more year. Underclassmen have until Sunday to put their names in the draft. ``I feel a whole lot better,'' Adams said. ``I got this off of my chest and I'm just trying to move forward right now.'' Adams' size and quickness, along with his team-leading 9.5 sacks this season, had him projected by some Internet sites as a potential first-rounder next April. And Adams says that's what got him thinking about the pros something that seemed remote after Clemson's 19-10 victory over Colorado at the Champs Sports Bowl when Adams declared he was 100 percent certain of coming back. ``I was hearing all the good things and really not paying attention to the negative things,'' Adams said. He and his parents met with Clemson coach Tommy Bowden on Thursday. Adams spoke with Tye Hill, a Clemson senior considered one of the best cornerback prospects in the NFL draft, and his former Cambridge Academy coach Steve Taneyhill. After a couple of more restless nights, Adams chose Clemson. ``I think,'' Adams says, ``I made the right decision.'' Particularly, if he has another year like this one. Besides his sacks, Adams led Clemson with 15 tackles behind the line of scrimmage and nine passes broken up. He played his best near the end with 17 tackles and 4.5 sacks in Clemson's final three victories over Florida State, South Carolina and the Buffaloes. The Tigers went 8-4 and finished ranked No. 21. Bowden was glad to have Adams around next fall. ``He had a strong finish to 2005, and if he can play that way throughout next year, he will improve his status with the NFL,'' Bowden said. Another factor, Adams said, was the chance to graduate. He is on track for a sports management degree with a minor in business that he expects to complete next December. ``It's something I've thought about since I came here,'' Adams said. Adams admitted he was swayed by the high praise from those on the Internet. He went to sleep several times thinking he was done with college. ``It was a tough decision, that's why I was waiting to talk to coach Bowden,'' Adams said. ``He gave me some good information.'' Adams let his parents talk with NFL advisers and scouts. He said Bowden was straight with him about what he could achieve if he left early and if he remained. Hill, the Tigers' star corner, likely earned himself more money by playing as a senior as he was one of three finalists for the Thorpe Award, given to the country's best defensive back. Adams was influenced by Hill's example. If Adams turned pro and slipped to the third or fourth rounds, ``I'd be selling myself short,'' he said. Plus, Adams says Clemson's defense has a chance to be one of the nation's best next season. Linebacker Anthony Waters, the Tigers' top tackler this past fall, also said this week he would be back for his senior year. ``We're going to be unbelievable,'' Adams said. ``I think we've got a chance to win the (Atlantic Coast Conference) championship.'' (Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)