Adams Focused on Details

2016 was a tough year for running back Josh Adams as he battled through a hamstring injury for most of the year. The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder didn’t hit his stride until late in the season, which included an 180-yard performance against USC.

A healthy Adams was pleased with Notre Dame’s first practice of the fall on Monday.

“It feels good,” Adams stated. “God-willing I will make it through, and we’re all excited. We’re working hard as a unit. Last year, a lot of us were banged up physically, but we are staying on schedule. We are going to continue with it and continue to practice hard.”

The nagging injury wasn’t ideal for anyone, especially during a tough season, but Adams fought through the adversity, and he feels he’s a better man for it.

“Mentally and physically it was rough,” said Adams. “It was something I could learn and get better from not only with myself but with my teammates. Everyone goes through something, but I couldn’t feel sorry for myself, and I had to move forward to get better.”

As a junior, Adams has seen a good season in South Bend and a season that brought many changes to the program. Notre Dame might have some new faces on the staff, but Adams and his teammates see it as a fresh start.

“It’s a new year with new opportunities,” explained Adams. “We have a lot of guys in that room who want to prove a lot of things to a lot of people, including themselves. We’re focused on what we can control. We have a new offensive coordinator and a new offense. A lot of guys have a great opportunity to go out and show what they can do. You have the offensive line, Tony Jones Jr., Dexter Williams, CJ Holmes, and Deon McIntosh all ready to get in and watch film to get better.

“We are coming out here and going as hard as we can. We’re doing our job to the best of our abilities. We’re not focused on what happened last year. We’re focused on what we can do today.”

The focus is on a day-to-day basis, but there has been an emphasis on the finer details of the program from top to bottom this offseason.

“We have been focusing on the details because that’s where great teams are great,” Adams said. “They can do the little things right when they are fatigued. It’s something we have been focused on a lot. We have done mental training and have really focused on the little things.”

Many Notre Dame players are confident heading into 2017, and a large part of that goes back to new Director of Football Performance Matt Balis.  

“Coach Balis did a great job of making sure we can do it when we’re tired,” Adams stated. “The guys on the team did a great job of adjusting. It’s not easy to change like that so quickly, but we are definitely stepping up to the plate to compete.”  

Balis is known for his intense conditioning, and it was just what Notre Dame needed as they move to faster-paced offense this fall.

“The pace is great,” said Adams. “It’s a little different and faster than last year. We did a great job preparing for it in the offseason. It’s amazing to see what happens when you work your body, prepare, and study the playbook.”

When it comes to goals, it’s no surprise Adams is keeping them pretty simple.

“I want to get better every day,” said Adams. “I am blessed to be out here. I do it for my family and my teammates. I am focused on doing what I can control and get better.

“I can run routes a little bit better. I noticed last year I would get fatigued, and routes would start to slip up. Pass protection, I can work on technique and all that stuff is important when it comes to working on those details.”