Palo Alto High School graduate Davante Adams (‘11) is no stranger to success. Adams, one of the top college receivers in the country, has had his share of hardships. This year Adams looks to prove just how talented he really is.
Adams started playing football his junior year in high school. Now a junior at Fresno State, he is currently on the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, given each year in college football to the top receiver. Adams is among several great players competing for this award. Past recipients of the Biletnikoff Award often become high draft picks in the NFL.
As a sophomore in high school, Adams watched the football team practice every day craving to play the game. Sidelined because of a serious arm injury he had sustained in Pop Warner, the threat of an amputation lingered over his dreams of the football field he was born to play on.
Davante, now 6’2’’ and 216 pounds with a 4.46 second 40-meter time, was a two-sport high school sensation.
“He played basketball freshman and sophomore year,” former Paly head basketball coach Peter Diepenbrock said. “Somewhere in there he just took off … he was a great varsity basketball player. He was the star of the team.”
Adams averaged 15 points and eight rebounds a game and was heavily recruited. Despite his success in basketball, it was football that he would choose to pursue.
Head football coach Earl Hansen recognized Adams’ potential, but had no idea how good he would be. After all, it was his first year ever playing in a high school football game. In Adams’ initial football season he had a total of 29 receptions for 484 yards and 7 touchdowns.
“I knew he was an extremely talented athlete right away, it was pretty obvious. He just kept getting better and better,” Hansen said.
Adams had a superb junior year, but as a senior his statistics doubled, with 64 receptions for 1,094 yards and 11 touchdowns.
“He was really part of the big picture,” Hansen said. “He was part of the whole team that was special. They had a ton of impact. He was just one of them. He was a matchup terror as far as the other team. They didn’t know what to do with him and Maurice Williams (‘11) and then TJ Braff (‘11) and Michael Cullen (‘11) then the two running backs. We were a nightmare to play against.”
Adams’ performance in the Central Coast Section (CCS) division game against Archbishop Mitty was a turning point in the Vikings’ road to the state title.
“It was pouring rain. If he didn’t catch it the game was over and we were out of it, but he made the catch,” Paly teacher and football announcer Mike McNulty said. “It’s one of those things that you always hear about but you don’t think you are ever going to see.”
The score was 10-6 Mitty, with 36 seconds left in the game, it was fourth and goal 21 yards out, the quarterback, Christoph Bono (11’), dropped back in the pouring rain and found Adams in the endzone for a miracle catch to win the game 13-10.
“It was the biggest catch of my life. Bono threw a great a pass. The officials were making sure I had two feet inbounds. I had three. We’re a team of destiny.” Adams told the Palo Alto Daily Newspaper immediately following the game.
Adams’ legendary catch is still echoed throughout the Paly football community today. Bono still credits Davante for making that season so special.
“I definitely have to thank him for most of that season and for making that catch,” Bono said.
The “catch” may have been the greatest mark he left on Paly football history; however, his attitude was something that defined him every day.
“He never ever showed attitude,” Hansen said. “ He had to really buckle down senior year second semester. He had to get an extra class to be eligible to have a scholarship to Fresno State and he did it. He was still lifting weights, he did it all. When it came to crunch time he was able to do it.”
Adams’ hard work both in the classroom and on the field have paid off.
“He will probably go the farthest from all the players that have come through Paly,” Hansen said.
It would be fair to say that Hansen’s predictions have been more than accurate. Adams is regarded by experts as the number eight receiver in the 2015 NFL draft class should he decide to declare at the end of his junior year.
“He is on everyone’s draft list already,” Hansen said.
Adams redshirted his freshman year, but one year later he was named Mountain West Freshman of the year after he led the conference in receptions, yards and touchdowns. He received a honorable mention from Sports Illustrated to the red shirt freshman watch list. This year Adams already has 4 touchdowns and 289 yards in only the first three games; his hard work has caught some major attention, helping him receive numerous awards.
In his most recent game against Boise State he had 12 receptions for 110 yards. His one touchdown catch marked the 11th consecutive game where he has scored, nearing the NCAA record of 18.
Adams was named to the 2013 preseason Mountain West all conference team, 3rd and 4th preseason All-American team, and College Football Performance Awards [CFPA] wide receiver trophy watch list.
Adams’ athleticism paired with a competitive attitude are what have brought him so much success in so little time.
“He is a very proud individual. He does not like to fail,” McNulty said. “That is one of the main reasons why he was so successful here and a huge reason why he is doing so well in Fresno.” <<<