In our pre-draft issue of Jets Confidential, we ran a column from Jamal Adams in his own words. Here it is . . .
“Leadership is definitely my main thing. On the field, I can play everything in the back end, whether that’s covering in the slot, whether that’s playing [man-to-man], whether that’s being in the A and B gap, filling that hole, or locking down tight ends. I feel like I’m versatile to play everything in the back end, and that’s what makes me a special player.
“I get classified as a box safety which is not something that I like, but I understand, because I like being around the ball. I like making plays on the ball. I like making impact plays for the team.
“I feel like I’m the best guy in the draft, I definitely feel like I should be a No. 1 pick.
“I think the game is starting to change scheme-wise. We’re starting to have tight ends that can run now. As you see, my man Evan (Engram) from Ole Miss went 4.42. OJ (Howard) as well, 4.51. The game is changing. You need safeties that can do everything in the back end, can cover, can tackle.
“A lot of people think, due to [my father George Adam’s] pedigree, that football was kind of pushed my way. But I kind of played everything growing up. I kind of fell in love with the game at age 5, really. He just really stressed staying focused, trusting the process, and doing what I do. I love football. That’s my passion.
“I like to steal pieces of [top safeties] to add to my game. Tyrann (Mathieu), Bob Sanders, Sean Taylor. Those guys are who I look up to. Those are guys that play the game the right way. One day, hopefully I can be just like them, making impact plays.
“[Being a DB at LSU] was huge. Even coming out, picking a college, it was definitely huge. It is DBU. There’s no other school (like it). That pedigree. It’s a brotherhood, it’s a fraternity forever.
“When I step on the field, I’m passionate about what I do. I thank the man above for everything he’s blessed me with. When I’m on the field, I give glory to him. I go all-out, because you never know when that last play can be.”
