Georgia Tech nose tackle Brandon Adams let what would have been his first career sack slip out of his reach Saturday. Near the end of the first half of the Yellow Jackets’ win over Miami, Adams quickly got into the backfield but quarterback N’Kosi Perry escaped his grasp to scramble for an 8-yard gain.
“I’ve been playing that in my head all the time,” Adams said. “As soon as I missed it, I was like, wow. You win some, you lose some.”
That play aside, Adams had his share of wins against the Hurricanes in the 27-21 victory that secured bowl eligibility. Adams was credited with one tackle, but made other plays by blowing up plays that teammates cleaned up. It continued a run of good play for the junior from Brentwood, Tenn.
“I think Brandon continues to get better and better,” coach Paul Johnson said. “He seems to be around the ball.”
Adams has 16 total tackles for the season, easily a career high after recording seven as a freshman and 10 as a sophomore. His 3.5 tackles for loss are also a career high. He is splitting snaps in a two-man rotation with Kyle Cerge-Henderson.
Adams credited continuing adjustment to the scheme of new defensive coordinator Nate Woody and the tutelage of defensive line coach Jerome Riase.
Against Miami, what was impressive was how quickly and cleanly Adams sometimes got into the backfield past Miami center Tyler Gauthier. Linebacker Brant Mitchell called him “deceptively quick.” Adams said that Riase’s instruction has helped him anticipate the offense better.
“He gives us little key indicators from watching film and things that we can use to our advantage,” Adams said. “That, honestly, has probably been the biggest change. And probably the reason why we’ve been making more plays this year.”
Adams also said that his body is helping, too. Adams has had challenges with his weight – he is 6-foot-2 and 325 pounds – but is carrying better weight now.
“He’s doing great,” Mitchell said. “‘Big B,’ he gets after it when he’s in there.”
Adams was amused by a photo of his teammate Kyle Cerge-Henderson circulating on social media in which he was photographed striding about Grant Field before the game wearing a fur coat with no shirt on and sweatpants.
Adams was not interested in re-creating the look.
“Uh, no,” Adams said with a laugh. “I think my fur is (that) I’m already big.”
