Former Illinois Football DB Continues to Impress NY Jets

Former Illinois Football DB Continues to Impress NY Jets

Illinois Football has recently had a reliable history of defensive backs landing in the NFL. For obvious reasons, the three players who were drafted in the 2023 draft gain a lot of attention. Additionally, players like Kerby Joseph and Nate Hobbs are players who were drafted in the middle of the NFL draft who have made impacts on their respective teams. Joseph became a starter as a rookie for the Detroit Lions, and has made numerous plays. Nate Hobbs is in Las Vegas with the Raiders and is one of their top cornerbacks.

One of the cooler stories, however, is an undrafted Illinois Football alum. Tony Adams was a key win in Lovie Smith’s first class. Adams struggled with injuries his first few years, however showed promise even as a true freshman. That promise is now coming into the spotlight, as he is clawing his way onto an NFL roster.

Making the most of an opportunity

Adams struggled to start out his final season in Champaign. In Bielema’s first year, Adams had some difficulties staying consistent and was even benched for a game or two. Adams, however, ended the year off strong. He was one of the most consistent defensive backs alongside Devon Witherspoon. Adams was not drafted in the 2022 NFL draft, however found a way onto the New York Jets training camp roster. Adams played 11 games with the Jets last year, and continues to impress during this year’s training camp.

Head coach Robert Saleh had some great things to say about the St Louis Native.

#Jets HC Robert Saleh admitted that ‘I guess the cats coming out of the bag’ on DB Tony Adams (@Iwill_suceed20), ‘unbelievable mental makeup’ + ‘undrafted free agent [that] unseated a bunch of guys we all thought were going to make the team’ + ‘made it impossible for us to cut… pic.twitter.com/E2bNycibWk

— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) July 26, 2023

Continued exposure

Adams also made a strong play on Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers threw a deep ball, and TA successfully batted it away. Tony Adams continued the theme of Illini players ruining Aaron Rodgers plays, however showed his ball skills as a safety. Adams seems like a strong candidate to continue ascending the New York Jets roster. The defensive back room is led by Sauce Gardner, however could use a reliable and athletic ball-hawk like TA.

HOLY CRAP: #Jets safety Tony Adams (@Iwill_suceed20) made an amazing play during practice today. Aaron Rodgers (@AaronRodgers12) uncorked a deep ball to Mecole Hardman (@MecoleHardman4) but Adams had a great break up preventing the long TD 😤 🎥 @nyjets #TakeFlight #JetsCamp pic.twitter.com/eeg0EdYZ6C

— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) July 21, 2023

The New York Jets will also be the featured team on the HBO series, Hard Knocks. Not that a TV series is all that important, it is more exposure for the University of Illinois alum as he continues to grind towards planting himself as an NFL player.