Starting defensive tackle for 3 yrs. 2 time All-American and 2-time all-conference, 1-time 2nd team all-conference. 2 years team captain.

Adams played high school football for the Giants at Ben Davis High School, where he was an all-state defensive tackle and was named a top player by USA Today. The Evansville Courier & Press reported that Adams was both fast and strong for a high school tackle, with a 40-yard dash time of 4.9 seconds and the strength to bench press 350 pounds (160 kg).


Adams went on to play four seasons of college football with the Eastern Kentucky Colonels, a member of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (then known as Division I-AA). Starting in 33 games, Adams received several accolades while playing for the Colonels, including being named a Division I-AA third-team All-American, a two-time first-team All-Conference player, and a second-team All-Conference player. In September 2002, he was selected as the Ohio Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his effort in a game against the Florida Atlantic Owls, where he made 5 total tackles and repeatedly pressured the quarterback (including for one sack). Adams continued his successful senior year by recording 81 defensive tackles and five sacks.