Sophomore cornerback Brandon Adams was one of the highlights of UCF's first scrimmage of spring, intercepting a pass and then taking it all the way to the house for a score. He spoke about the pick-six and other topics immediately afterward.
To start off, Adams explained how he got his hands on the ball.
"First of all, I want to thank my d-line," Adams said. "They did a great job getting pressure on the quarterback. I had re-routed my man, following the eyes of the quarterback and I intercepted the ball."
Adams picked off Mikey Keene. And the receiver he was covering?
"It was zone coverage, but the receivers out there were (Ryan) O'Keefe and Flash (Jaylon Robinson)."
A member of UCF's 2021 recruiting class, Adams made an immediate impact as a true freshman. He began the season in the rotation at corner, then was elevated into a starting role vs. ECU on Oct. 9. He would end up making six starts, finishing with 19 tackles with one TFL and one pass breakup.
"I learned a lot last year," Adams. "Coach Addi (Addison Williams) and Coach (David) Gibbs did a great job helping me improve and understanding zone coverage, man coverage, alignments. Also T-Will. They all played a big part in helping me transition from high school to college. When I got the start, it was an exciting feeling. Just an amazing feeling."
Where can he improve?
"I think I probably need to work on my tackling," Adams. "Probably getting more comfortable with tackling. Last year, I wouldn't say nervous but I was kind of timid. The game speed was very fast. But it's slowing down a lot."
Asked about his favorite memory from the 2021 season, Adams said it had to be that first start vs. ECU.
"First play, Davonte Brown set the tone (with a pass breakup). Then in the second play I came in and set the tone (tackled the receiver for a short gain). That was a good experience."
UCF returns all their starters in the secondary and adds a former All-Conference player in Koby Perry, a transfer from Austin Peay.
"I feel like we could be one of the top secondaries in the nation," Adams said. "Koby Perry shows he can get to the ball. Newt (Divaad Wilson) is always around the ball. (Justin) Hodges covers well. Davonte Brown and Corey Thornton cover well. We're all in this together."
Koby Perry was a standout in Tuesday's scrimmage.
"He was around the ball a lot."
Adams thought the defense finished well in the scrimmage.
"Today we started off slow. That happens sometimes. After they got the first or second touchdown, we came together and said we can't let them in the end zone anymore. We picked it up after those first two touchdowns."
What's his personal outlook for 2022?
"I'm looking to have a great season," Adams said. "I feel like I'm more experienced. The game has slowed down. I feel like I'm going to be way more comfortable."
And how about the team?
"We talk in the locker room," Adams said. "I feel we could be compared to the 2017, 2018 teams. We're really good. We have a great chance of winning the whole thing. That's what I feel like."
Adams added his favorite players growing up were Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Terrell.
