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Clemson Football: Tiger Tuesday – Keith Adams, Sr.

ByJohn Chancey|
11 Sep 1999: Dan Ellis #17 of the Virginia Cavaliers tries to pass the ball as he is tackled by Keith Adams #43 of the Clemson Tigers at the Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. The Tigers defeated the Cavaliers 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport
11 Sep 1999: Dan Ellis #17 of the Virginia Cavaliers tries to pass the ball as he is tackled by Keith Adams #43 of the Clemson Tigers at the Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. The Tigers defeated the Cavaliers 33-14. Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons /Allsport

Tiger Tuesday features a Clemson athlete from the past that significantly impacted their program. Today we look back at Clemson Football linebacker Keith Adams, Sr.

Keith Adams – Linebacker, 1998-2000

  • Two-time first-team All-American in 1999 & 2000
  • 1999 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, runner-up in 2000
  • Finalist for Butkus & Bednarik Awards
  • 379 tackles
  • 54 tackles for loss

As football has evolved, scouts have justifiably focused on measurables to prioritize the players they recruit. Clemson Football has learned through experience that you can’t discount the players who aren’t quite as big as the others.

If anyone ever overlooked Keith Adams on the field, there was a good chance they were about to be blasted out of their shoes.

Adams was a two-way football player at Westlake High School in Atlanta, Georgia, where he played running back and linebacker. He also wrestled and ran track.

At 5’-11’, he wasn’t the prototype linebacker frame, but he got his opportunity with Clemson on the defensive side. He spent his freshman campaign as a backup, but by his sophomore season, he made the first-string and then proceeded to change the record books.

Adams was one of the most dynamic defensive players to ever take the field for the Tigers. He holds four all-time Clemson records in total.

  • Most tackles in a single season: 186 in 1999
  • Most tackles in a single game: 27 in 1999 against South Carolina
  • Most sacks in a single season: 16 in 1999
  • Most sacks in a single game: 5 in 1999 against Duke

He set the bar high as a sophomore, but still registered a solid junior season, with 138 tackles, six sacks, and an interception. He declared for the NFL Draft after his junior year.

He is still ranked ninth in career tackles and tied for sixth in sacks.

Keith Adams was one of the most dynamic defensive players ever for Clemson Football

Despite his college accomplishments, the scouts were again not enamored with Adams. He fell to the 7th round in the 2001 Draft, selected by the Tennessee Titans. He parlayed that into a seven-year pro career, playing for Dallas, Philadelphia, Miami, and Cleveland.

His son, Keith Adams, Jr., signed with the Tigers and joined the team in 2022.

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