Syracuse Football 2020 Positional Preview: Running backs

Abdul Adams

As the season approaches, Adams steps in as the number one at the running back position. With Moe Neal gone, it’s Adams’s turn to take the reins. As a redshirt senior, it’s his last opportunity to shine at the collegiate level.

His first two seasons were spent playing tailback for Oklahoma before choosing to join the Orange for two more full seasons of eligibility. First, let’s look at his stats with the Sooners and what he’s done while suiting up for the Orange.

Abdul Adams Oklahoma Stats:

• 825 rushing yards
• 7.4 yards per rush
• 105 receiving yards

Adams decided to leave Norman and head to Syracuse. Now he will have an opportunity to flourish and be the first option for the first time in his career. He was forced to sit out a year and his first game action for ‘Cuse was in the Camping World Bowl, where he scored twice. After that, he followed up with a decent 2019 campaign. Let’s look at his career donning the orange and blue.

Abdul Adams Syracuse Stats:

• 355 rushing yards
• 3.7 yards per rush
• 5 rushing touchdowns
• 141 receiving yards

In his first season with Syracuse, he did not get a lion share of the carries and that contributed to the reduced numbers. However, this season Adams will be the lead back. His style of play is more of a hard-nosed running back but will play on the first two downs and head into the year as a starter. The biggest weakness for Adams is his inability to be a capable receiver out of the backfield. Syracuse has other options that have better hands from the running back position.

Adams’s strength he has going in his favor is his ability to be well rounded on the ground. He has the power to drive through the middle of the line but also has enough skill to bounce to the outside and be involved from the shotgun. Look for Abdul Adams to be a key contributor this season and be alongside Tommy DeVito.