Adams is emerging on the scene

ST. PETERSBURG — Sure, Travis Johnson and Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit got the big win over St. Petersburg (Fla.) on Friday night. They clinched a playoff berth and all but sewed up the district championship in the process. But as impressive as Johnson was against the Spartans, he might not have even put together the most best performance by a junior receiver over four quarters by the Bay this weekend.

That honor could easily be awarded to Lakewood wide out Rodney Adams, who continues to impresses every time he goes out on the field this season.

Adams, a lanky target at 6-foot-1, 170 pounds, continues to be a dangerous deep-threat option for Lakewood and junior quarterback Tracy Johnson. He grabbed seven receptions for 185 yards and a pair of touchdowns against Jesuit. His 82-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter put Lakewood in striking distance for the final time on Friday night, bringing the Spartans to within a score at 27-19.

However, Jesuit would salt the game away in the final minutes to earn the victory.

Still, the Class of 2013 prospect was awfully impressive in defeat. A tough sophomore campaign seems to be the source of his inspiration coming into the fall.

“I’m just trying to help the team win a state championship,” Adams explained. “I came in not having a big season [as a sophomore], so I had to prove to everybody that I’m a BCS receiver. It’s coming along great so far.”

And colleges are starting to take note of his ability. Adams picked up his first FBS offer this week when a school from the West Coast came calling.

“I just got offered by San Diego State this week,” he noted. “Florida State is coming on heavy, so I’m just waiting on that one. Then I have Indiana and Louisville showing interest too.”

The Gators have also kept an eye on what Adams has accomplish this season. When Florida defensive coordinator Dan Quinn stopped in to see Dante Fowler on Friday, he also made sure to let Adams know that UF has interest in his services as well.

“[Florida] came to the school today, and talked to me for a few minutes,” Adams said. “They’re showing a lot of love right now. They want me to come up for the Florida State game.”

The attention he’s starting to receive from Florida hasn’t been lost on Adams, either.

“They were my main school growing up,” he reports.

Playing alongside a major talent like Dante Fowler, Adams said he’s learned a lot from watching his teammate deal with the media and attention from major college football programs from coast-to-coast.

“[Fowler] is a great player and a great person,” Adams explained. “He’s taught me a lot through the recruiting process. I’m just learning from him.”

Even with a tough loss against Jesuit, which ended an undefeated run for Lakewood this season, Adams pointed out that all of the team goals for the Spartans heading into the year are still withing reach.

“We can still accomplish big things this season,” he pointed out. “With the loss tonight, we have to come back strong next week against Robinson. Just have to bounce back and make another run at it.”

Through seven games this year, Adams has grabbed 25 catches for 742 yards (an amazing 29.7 yards per catch) and 10 touchdowns for Lakewood.