A star in the making

South Carolina freshman tight end Jerell Adams has what it takes to be a star.

Right from the very first practice, you knew Jerell Adams was going to be a star.

Coach Spurrier knew fairly early on what he had in the 6'6", 224-pound tight end.

"Jerell Adams is a ballplayer. He's a very good athlete who can play. You'll hear a lot of him this season."

Adams spent the fall of 2011 in prep school at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia after signing with the Gamecocks in February of 2011. At the time, he was a four-star prospect on Scout.com.

Adams had a lot of praise in high school as he was a do-it-all player for Scott's Branch High School in Summerton, South Carolina. He played quarterback, tight end, linebacker, defensive end and even punter on the football team. He was also a power forward on the basketball team.

There was one point in time about where to play Adams once he reached Columbia. Some thought he could wind up at defensive end while others liked him at the tight end position.

As you can see, it looks like the coaching staff made the right call.

He recently led all receivers with four catches for 83 yards and touchdown in last Wednesday's open scrimmage for the Gamecocks.

"I knew he was a six-foot five guy who could really play basketball," said Coach Spurrier. "If you can play basketball, you can usually run and catch, and he can run and catch. He's a talent."

Adams has unique size and speed that creates a mismatch for most opposing defense. He has the ability to be physical at the line of scrimmage against the linebacker and can also outrun the safety that may pick him up in coverage.

The Gamecocks are in need of some tall, physical receiving threats after the loss of Alshon Jeffery to the NFL draft. Adams will likely fill that role for the Gamecocks, along with the other tight ends on the roster.

There is a lot of talent at tight end between Adams, Justice Cunningham, Rory Anderson, Kelvin Rainey and Drew Owens. They all bring a lot of value to the Gamecocks.

It just seems like there is something special to Jerell Adams.

He should excite Gamecock fans for years to come.