Adams brings formidable talents to first CFL start

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This article was published 20/06/2024 (452 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

You almost must see it to believe it.

Devin Adams — a stout 290-pound defensive end — was taking reps at punter earlier this week at Blue Bombers practice and was hoofing the ball 40-plus yards down the field to the bewilderment of his teammates.

“Kyle (Walters) gave me the heads up that he was bringing in a D-lineman that can punt and I said, ‘I can’t wait to see that,’” said full-time punter Jamieson Sheahan.

“Normally you get some skill players that look like they can do that if they played soccer or something, but I’ve never seen someone that big do it. He’s a big, powerful boy, obviously. He puts his foot through the ball pretty good.”

Adams, a first-team all-conference punter at the NAIA level at Peru State, wasn’t brought to Winnipeg for his leg, though. He’s here to chase quarterbacks and that’s exactly what he has the chance to do Friday night against the visiting B.C. Lions (7:30 p.m.) when he makes his first CFL start.

The rookie, who was also the defensive player of the year and a first-team all-American at the small-town college in Nebraska, replaces Celestin Haba who’s been placed on the six-game injured list after going down in last week’s 23-19 loss in Ottawa.

“I would say this opportunity means everything because this is something I’ve dreamed about since I was a kid,” said Adams.

“And it’s not just about being in a football league and being a professional, it’s like it’s happening in Winnipeg with Biggie (Adam Bighill), Willie Jefferson, and Zach (Collaros). It means so much more when you get to go into an environment where (there’s been so much success).”

He already has some confidence as he came off the bench in Week 1 and took down Montreal’s Cody Fajardo for sack No. 1.

Adams attended mini-camp with the New England Patriots earlier this year and also has a baseball background as he played third base and outfield at Delaware State before dropping the bat and glove to focus on football.

“There’s not much that guy can’t do,” said head coach Mike O’Shea on Tuesday. “In fact, I’d have to think really hard about what we wouldn’t ask him to do on a football field. He’s been not only good, he’s been fun to have around. He’s fired up on a daily basis.”

The D-line will feature two first-year players with Jamal Woods sliding in for DT Miles Fox who has also been placed on the six-game injured list.

“It’s gonna be fun. I’ve been working with both of them since camp,” said Jefferson.

“I know what they’re both capable of, and I’m just excited to see them play. I’m gonna try to free them up so they can make some big plays and hopefully they can finish and get the crowd into it.”

After six years at the University of Illinois, Woods garnered looks from the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins in 2023 as an undrafted free agent.

“To have the ability to come out here and start for a winning program, and just show the city and province what I’m about, it’s gonna be good to go out there and play with my guys,” said Woods.

Nichols ruled out

The Bombers aren’t just suffering from injuries on the D-line.

The secondary is feeling the pain as well with star halfback Deatrick Nichols being placed on the one-game injured list. He’ll be replaced by CFL newcomer Marquise Bridges who spent the past two years playing in the Indoor Football League.

“I think it’s a big loss for them,” said Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., shortly after landing in Winnipeg.

“He’s an exciting, rowdy player. He likes to talk trash before the game and try to get inside my head so I’m glad he won’t be doing that. But he’s a good player. It sucks that he got injured and I wish him well.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

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Taylor Allen
Reporter

Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor.

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