Adams On Hendricks Award Watch List

June 21, 2006

Clemson, SC – Clemson senior defensive end Gaines Adams is one of 42 preseason candidates for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year. Adams is one of five ACC players on the list for the award that is named in honor of the former Miami (FL) All-American and eight-time NFL Pro Bowl Selection. The winner will be announced in December in Orlando, FL at the Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN.

Adams was an honorable mention All-America selection last year by Pro Football Weekly when he had 56 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. He set a Clemson record for passes broken up by a defensive lineman with nine, and also had a school record 29 quarterback pressures. His three caused fumbles also led the team. He is number-one among returning ACC players in quarterback sacks.

Adams has already been listed as a preseason All-American by Lindy’s , who also calls him the Preseason ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He is also listed as a preseason candidate for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is presented to the national defensive player of the year by the Maxwell Award Committee of Philadelphia, and the Bronko Nagurski Award, which is presented to the top defensive player in the nation by the Charlotte Touchdown Club and the Football Writers Association.

The native of Greenwood, SC is also ranked as the second best prospect in the nation among rising seniors for the 2007 NFL Draft, and number-one defensive end in the nation by Mel Kiper of ESPN.

Other ACC players on the Hendricks Watch List are Baraka Atkins and Bryan Pata of Miami (FL), Chris Ellis of Virginia Tech and Chris Long of Virginia.