Georgia Tech defensive tackle Brandon Adams has lost about 15 pounds since the end of the season and his play in spring practice reflects it.
Monday, he shared the rather unsurprising explanation for the weight loss.
“Just changing my diet and running a lot more,” Adams said. “Just working out crazy, just running, eat right, to get it done.”
Adams said he is at 335 pounds after weighing around 350 at the end of his freshman season. His weight affected his quickness and ability to play for long stretches. Mostly a short-yardage sub, he often was on the field for two or three snaps at a time.
Adams said he attended what he called the team’s “Fat man camp,” in which players showed up at 6:30 a.m. at the indoor practice facility twice a week for running under the supervision of strength and conditioning coach John Sisk.
“Me myself, I feel lighter,” he said. “My knees feel better. I just feel like if I can keep going down in my weight, I can have a better motor, just to continue playing at a high level for a long time.”
Adams said that the conditioning sessions went about 45 minutes.
“Not long, just something to do to get your heart rate up,” he said.
Adams wants to get to around 310 or 315 pounds. Were Adams able to get there and join the defensive tackle rotation, it would be a huge benefit for Tech’s defense, which, in the words of defensive coordinator Ted Roof, is “really, really unproven” at the position. He is by far the biggest player on the Jackets’ defense and likely would serve it well as a stout run-stopper. Tech tied for 86th last year in FBS in defensive yards per carry at 4.73.
Adams played in nine games last season and was credited with seven tackles. He earned praise from coaches earlier in spring practice for his improved play.
" A lot more active, a lot more productive and if he continues to do that, I think he can be a really good player for us ," Roof said April 3.
In Saturday’s scrimmage, Adams said, “I didn’t feel as winded as during (last) summer when I first got here. That allowed me to keep going back and keep doing my job, making plays when they came to me.”
Adams said he has been trying to stay away from fried foods.
“Just grilled chicken, stuff like that,” he said.
