Terin Adams discusses his ASU pledge

As it turns out seeing isn’t always believing, and Terin Adams didn’t have to witness Tempe in-person to be convinced that Arizona State was the place for him. Just 48 hours after a long-awaited scholarship offer was received, the City College of San Francisco cornerback signed with the Sun Devils.

“I’ve always been following Arizona State,” Adams said, “I have a couple of former teammates playing there with Michael Sleep-Dalton and AJ McCollum. One the things that sold me was coach Herm Edwards. I was on the phone with Monday and last night, and what I was looking for in a school is playing for a coach who will make me the best player I can be.

“The first thing I asked coach Herm when I got on the phone with him was ‘why do you think I should come to Arizona State?’ and he said because he’s going to make me the best player I can be and that’s one of the biggest things that sold me. He told me that we’ll be running his defense and it’s a lot of man (coverage) and I’ll have a lot of opportunity for playing time.”

Even though his offer from the Sun Devils only took place two days ago, Adams said that he has been in constant contact with Assistant Athletics Director for Recruiting Donnie Yantis since the beginning of the season. Since Yantis continued on staff, the coaching changes that took place in Tempe had no effect on Adams’ affinity to the school.

“Herm Edwards is a legend as a head coach,” Adams explained. “I know he’s going to run the program like a professional team. Arizona State already wins games but we will win some more games. I’ve talked to Michael and AJ a lot and they love the program, but most of the conversations were me asking them to show the coaches my film and they always told me ‘we’re showing them…we’re showing them.’

“I didn’t take it as disrespect that they haven’t offered me earlier. It’s a different coaching staff right now. Coach Herm within one day of watching my film offered me a scholarship. So, I don’t feel no disrespect.”

Adams, son of former NFL defensive lineman and Pro Bowl selection Sam Adams, was a former wide receiver who prepped at Kirkland (Wash.) Eastside Catholic and due to an injury in his senior year was forced to take the junior college route. He received a medical redshirt in his first year at City College of San Francisco and saw action in 2017. Adams will have three years to play three seasons at ASU and is a mid-year transfer who’s expected to arrive at Arizona State in the spring.

“My strengths are my ball skills,” Adams said, “I’m a very physical player. As far as my weaknesses that’s for Coach Herm Edwards to decide. We’ll see when we get to camp and he’ll take those weaknesses and make me much better football player.”

Kansas, Illinois, and San Diego State were the other programs Adams was seriously considering and he visited all three schools. He added that Oregon was showing some interest as well.

“I can’t say I’m surprised I’m part of Arizona State,” Adams commented. “I feel extremely thankful and blessed and I thank God everyday. I’m excited to see what the future holds.”