NFL
Where did Davante Adams play football in college? University stats, record, and draft pick
The Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver played college football at Fresno State and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 2014 NFL Draft’s second round.
From being a two-star recruit in Palo Alto, California, Davante Adams has risen to become the best receiver in the NFL. He has proven that his success is not dependent on Aaron Rodgers; he can excel with any quarterback and strike fear into any defense. This is the story of Davante Adams.
Born in East Palo Alto, California, Davante Adams’ story begins at the prestigious Palo Alto High School. Among its illustrious alumni, Adams stands out, joining the ranks of James Franco, Jim Harbaugh, Keyshawn Johnson, Jeremy Lin, and several Team USA Olympians. During his high school years, he even shared the wide receiver room with future San Francisco Giants outfielder Joc Pederson.
As a high school athlete, Adams excelled in both basketball and football. He played as both a wide receiver and cornerback on the football field. Over two seasons, he caught 92 passes for over 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns. Defensively, he recorded 44 tackles, two forced fumbles, two tackles for loss, and an interception. In his senior year, Adams played a crucial role in leading Palo Alto to the CIF State Championship.
Rated as a two-star prospect by 24/7 Sports, he ranked 2,368th overall and 281st at wide receiver in the 2011 class. Fresno State was the only school that offered him a scholarship, which he accepted on February 2, 2011.
Why did Adams choose Fresno State?
The deciding factor in his decision to enroll at California State University was the presence of quarterback Derek Carr at Fresno State. Carr, in his first year as the starting quarterback, threw for 3,544 yards, 26 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, setting the stage for a prolific partnership.
In 2012, Adams and Carr took the field together for the first time under a new coaching staff, including head coach Tim DeRuyter, offensive coordinator Dave Schramm, and defensive coordinator Nick Toth. The emphasis on the passing game allowed Adams to flourish. In his freshman season, Adams caught 102 passes for 1,312 yards and 14 touchdowns, leading the Mountain West Conference in all three categories. Nationally, he ranked eighth in catches, ninth in receiving yards, and third in receiving touchdowns. The Bulldogs finished 9-4 but were soundly defeated in the Hawaii Bowl by SMU, 43-10.
Adams’ freshman success put the college football world on notice, and he continued to excel in his sophomore year. With Carr in his senior season, Adams caught 131 passes for 1,719 yards and 24 touchdowns, leading the NCAA in receptions and touchdowns and ranking second in receiving yards. Fresno State peaked at 14th in the BCS standings with an 11-2 record but suffered a heavy defeat to USC in the Las Vegas Bowl, 45-20.
The 2014 NFL Draft
Despite playing only two seasons, Adams finished his college career with the eighth-most receptions, 13th-most receiving yards, and the most receiving touchdowns in Mountain West history. However, NFL scouts were skeptical about his transition to the professional level, speculating that his college success was largely due to Carr’s passing ability. NFL.com rated him as a 6.4 prospect, projecting him to become a good starter within two years.
In the 2014 NFL Draft, Adams was the ninth player selected, taken 53rd overall by the Green Bay Packers.