Clemson’s Keith Adams Named First-team Associated Press All-American

Dec. 13, 2000

Clemson, SC – Clemson linebacker Keith Adams was named a first-team Associated Press All-American on Wednesday. Adams is the first Clemson player to make the first-team AP team since linebacker Anthony Simmons in 1997.

Adams selection enhances Clemson’s tradition at linebacker. It marked the seventh time in the last 11 years that a Clemson linebacker has been named first, second or third-team Associated Press All-American.

Senior free safety Robert Carswell was named to the third-team. It marked the first time since 1997 that Clemson has had two different players honored by the Associated Press. That year offensive tackle Jim Bundren was a third-team selection in addition to Simmons first-team status.

Adams, a junior from College Park, GA, was named to the second team last year as a sophomore, making him a two-time Associated Press All-American. He joins Joe Bostic, Terry Kinard, William Perry, Stacy Long, Chris Gardocki, Stacy Seegars, and Simmons as multiple year AP All-Americans. Simmons and Perry are the only three-time AP All-Americans in Clemson history. Next year Adams can join Terry Kinard as the only two-time first-team AP All-Americans in Clemson history.

Adams had 138 tackles this year, including 18 tackles for loss and six sacks. He led the Clemson team in tackles for loss. He now has 369 tackles in his career, sixth in Clemson history. He has 53 career tackles for loss, third most in Clemson history.

Adams was a big reason Clemson ranked 18th in the nation in rushing defense. He had nine games in which he had at least 10 tackles and had at least one tackle for loss in 10 of the 11 games. He had one interception, a 27-yard return with two minutes left at North Carolina that clinched the Tiger victory.

Carswell was named to the third team by Associated Press. The senior from Lithonia, GA was also named a third-team All-American by The Sporting News earlier this month. Carswell, a two-time first-team All-ACC free safety, had 80 tackles this year, fourth on the Clemson team. He has 362 career tackles, seventh in Clemson history, first among defensive backs.

Clemson had four players earn some type of All-America mention this year. Center Kyle Young was named a second-team All-American by Football News and was a third team selection by The Sporting News. Wide receiver Rod Gardner was a first-team choice by the Gannett News Service.