Auburn transfer looks to work into Boise State offensive line

Will Adams hopes his transfer to Boise State will bring the former Auburn special teams player more playing time and possibly a starting position.

Adams, 22, who graduated in December with a bachelor’s degree in public administration, joined the Broncos for spring camp. Because of the NCAA’s graduate transfer rule, Adams was able to join the team immediately. He was recruited by Boise State to play tackle.

“I’m hoping to play more on the offensive line and try to help out as much as I can there and see a lot of play time,” said Adams, a senior who stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 303 pounds.

Head coach Bryan Harsin said his team must find someone to replace Rees Odhiambo, the 2015 squad’s No. 1 tackle who ran out of eligibility.

“I’m excited to see where Will Adams fits in,” Harsin said. “There’s a reason why he’s here. He wanted to come in here and play, be a part of this. (We’ll) see where he fits in the mix.”

Scott Huff, the team’s offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator, said he likes what he’s seen of Adams so far.

Adams played in all 13 of Auburn’s games during the 2015 season, culminating with the team’s 31-10 win over Memphis in the Birmingham Bowl. He played mostly on special teams and as a backup at right guard and right tackle. He also saw time as a blocking tight end. During his Auburn career, he appeared in 39 games.

He joins a Bronco squad with several young players who redshirted last year. Senior offensive lineman Mario Yakoo and junior lineman Archie Lewis will miss spring camp after undergoing surgeries.

“There’s a lot of veteran guys who are really helpful. They know their stuff, so I can get a lot of coaching from them and I’m able to learn from them,” Adams said.

He said he’d like to work into a starting position but it’s too early to tell whether that will happen.

“Right now, I’m not sure. We’re all just kind of practicing and knocking the rust off. We’ll see,” said Adams, who enrolled in a master’s program in business administration.

Two members of Auburn’s strength and conditioning department were instrumental in leading Adams to Boise State, he said. Former Boise State defensive end Beau Martin, who played three seasons for the Broncos between 2012-14 and who subsequently has returned to BSU as a strength and conditioning coach, suggested Adams consider coming to Boise. Ryan Russell, Auburn’s strength and conditioning director, worked at Boise State from 2007-09.

“They had always talked so highly of Boise State,” Adams said. “I’m really thankful they were there and I was able to get in contact with Boise State. I got on the phone, and it spiraled from there.”

Adams announced his decision to transfer in December and three weeks later, following a weekend visit to Boise, committed to the Broncos. Without the input from Martin and Russell, he said he would not have landed in Boise.

A Georgia native, Adams said he likes the Idaho outdoors and looks forward to getting out more when the weather warms up in the spring.

“I’m still not used to looking out my window and seeing mountains, I’ve got to tell you. You may call them foothills, but they’re mountains to me,” he said, laughing. “It’s really beautiful around here, and there’s so much to do.”

Adams said he misses his family. Auburn, Ala., is less than 90 miles from his hometown of Tyrone, Ga., so he was able to go home frequently.

His father, Bill Adams, does business with Albertsons. They get together when he makes a monthly business trip to Boise.

What does he miss most from the South?

“There’s no sweet tea, which is weird. That’s hard to live without,” he said.

This story was originally published March 12, 2016 at 11:46 PM with the headline "Auburn transfer looks to work into Boise State offensive line."