One thing Clemson running back Keith Adams Jr. has never lacked is determination.

The redshirt junior, who is the son of Clemson Hall of Famer Keith Adams, has always patiently bided his time. On Saturday night in Chestnut Hill, his number was called.

With the Tigers up big on Boston College, Adams was inserted into the game in the fourth quarter. He needed just seven carries to be Clemson’s leading rusher that night, finishing with 49 yards and a touchdown run.

“I think they wanted to give me an opportunity to score a touchdown,” Adams said. “And I guess I gave myself more opportunities by running the ball well.”

It was evident on Adams’ very first carry, a 12-yard run straight up the middle, that he was going to impose his will on the BC defense. Five of his seven runs went for seven yards or more. Of those other two carries, one was a 1-yard touchdown run. He averaged seven yards per attempt.

“I could definitely tell after that first run that they didn’t want to tackle me,” Adams added. “When I see that in defenses, I am like, ‘Ok, I got you.’ And we just pretty much imposed our will on them. Kept running the ball. One thing about me, I am going to make sure there is no dropoff whenever I get in.”

Adams’ performance shows maybe there’s a little more depth in that Clemson running back room than some originally believed. After Saturday, Adams is averaging just under five yards per carry for his career.

While he may not be getting as many opportunities as some of the guys in front of him on the depth chart, when Adams does get the chance to show what he can do, he makes the most out of them.

“Whenever my opportunity is called, I just take advantage of it,” Adams added. “Obviously, I don’t get as many opportunities as a lot of people, but every time I get in there, I am determined to make sure everybody knows who I am.

Photo by Eric Canha-Imagn Images