ACC's Adams waits for college offers

Font Size

Email

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

COMMENTARY

Aurora Central Catholic's Mike Curry has been coaching high school football for 35 years, the past 22 at ACC.

In that time, he has had a grand total of two Division I football players. Two.

That's how difficult grooming a major college talent can be. And that is what is stacked up against senior quarterback Mike Adams, who has not received much big-time attention.

"It's very, very rare," Curry said. "He's one of the top five players I've ever coached. One of the few great ones you get to coach in your lifetime."

Not helping Adams' cause is the fact the Chargers are 0-6 this season, already meaning they will be outside of the playoff field for the 11th straight season. ACC is only 7-44 in the past six years overall, decreasing the amount of attention players there receive.

Also, Adams has never been able to concentrate on just playing quarterback on a team that has had problems drawing players to the program for some time.

To put that in perspective, Adams is the team's leading passer and rusher. He is also second on the team in tackles, taking snaps at defensive end, linebacker and safety. Oh yeah, he's also the team's kicker and punter. Curry said that if Adams was more accurate, he would also be kicking field goals and extra points.

"He can do just about anything anybody asks you to do on a football field," Curry said. "He's just one of those kids. I don't care what level he's played at, he plays hard when that ball is snapped. As long as there is time on the clock, he's playing as hard as he can. He's a coach's dream. It's too bad we don't have enough to help him out."

Division I schools haven't exactly been knocking down Adams' door, however. He attended camps at the University of Illinois and Western Michigan University over the summer, but never received an offer. He's headed to the University of St. Francis, an NAIA school in Joliet, for a visit next week.

"It's hard getting noticed without putting wins up," Adams said. "Our coaches put my tape out there for me to get noticed. I've gotten a couple of phone calls here and there. You have to do what you have to do to get your name out there."

And his name is out there. On scout.com, Adams is ranked fourth among senior quarterback prospects in Illinois, one spot ahead of Aurora Christian senior Jordan Roberts, who just set the IHSA record for career touchdown passes Friday. He is ranked No. 108 nationally.

But as is the case so often with suburban Chicago prospects, for him to find a Division I fit, it will most likely be at another position. With his 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame, he could project to tight end, a position he's never played before, or linebacker at the next level.

"I hope I'll still be able to play quarterback," Adams said.

For the Adams family, it's the same situation that older brother Mark went through the past couple of years. A three-sport standout, Mark Adams shined most on the basketball court, putting up an unbelievable senior season and leading the Chargers to a 25-5 record and a regional championship.

Yet Mark was unable to secure a Division I scholarship. He is currently a freshman at Division III North Central College in Naperville.

Yep, that's how rare it is.