With six offensive linemen in the Class of 2011 already committed, Kansas University’s football program added a seventh this weekend, when Bo Adams, an offensive guard from Iowa Western Community College, orally committed to KU and will arrive on campus next month as a preferred walk-on.
Adams, 6-foot-3, 280 pounds, is a teammate of highly-recruited juco quarterback Zack Stoudt, and the two made their official visits to Kansas together in late November.
Originally from Omaha, Neb., Adams has faced adversity nearly every step of the way throughout his young life. His parents died four months apart when he was 6. A few years later, his aunt, whom he had been living with, also passed away. And, during the summer of 2008, he was shot in the arm, an incident which likely cost him a chance to join a Div. I football program. At the time, KU had shown interest in Adams.
All of that, along with a driving passion for football, led him to Iowa Western and, ultimately, Kansas. Adams told Rivals.com that he chose KU because of the chance to play for KU coach Turner Gill, a man he heard plenty about growing up in Nebraska.
“Coach Gill said if I came in and worked hard I would have a chance to earn a scholarship,” Adams told Rivals. “I told him the day I don’t work hard then send me back to Omaha. I wanted the chance to make a difference. My brother always told me don’t chase the money, chase your dreams. I’ve always wanted the chance to compete at the highest level. I am going to play for the person I grew up idolizing.”
Adams will graduate from IWCC this month and likely will play center at KU, a position he hopes will be a perfect fit.
“People have always doubted me my whole life,” Adams told Rivals. “I’m the first person in my family to go to college. I’m looking forward to getting a chance (at Kansas). After I am done playing, I would like to be a coach. I want to help save a kid’s life like my coaches saved mine.”
Stoudt update
Stoudt, 6-5, 235, wrapped up his official visit to Mississippi on Sunday and is expected to make a decision between KU and Ole Miss sometime today.
Stoudt plans to sign Wednesday and will enroll at his school of choice in time for the start of the second semester, which will allow him to participate in spring drills. Sources said Sunday night that Stoudt gave no indication which school he would select, saying only that he enjoyed both visits immensely and that he would not draw things out.
“I don’t want to be a guy who leads coaches on until Wednesday and then puts a baseball hat on at a table,” Stoudt said. “I think that’s so disrespectful.”
