Vienna —
It was on the gridiron where Montravius Adams sparkled in leading the Bobcats to the Class A state title game, but it was in the gym where he caught the attention of a national television audience Wednesday on ESPN-U.
The occasion was National Signing Day on which the highly-touted Adams finally revealed after 13 months of soul-searching which college was going to acquire the services of the cat-quick 6-foot-3 300-pounder who dominated opposing high school offensive linemen and backs.
Plucking Adams as its prize recruiting plum for 2013 was Auburn which along with Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Clemson had made up his final five from among a list that initially numbered in excess of 70.
Head coaches Nick Saban of national champion Alabama, Mark Richt of Georgia and Gus Malzahn of Auburn all had made visits here while wooing him for their programs.
Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart and Auburn defensive line coach Rodney Garner, a former Georgia coach who reportedly was very instrumental in Adams’ choice, also made trips to Bobcats Country.
“I took a long time making my decision,” Adams said who while revealing his decision first selected an Auburn cap from those that were on the table he sat at for the beginning of the ceremony.
After placing it on his head, he rose to remove a red pullover jacket he wore, revealing an air-brushed T-shirt sporting the words “Auburn Tigers” with a picture of him wearing a No. 1 jersey in between the name of the school and its mascot.
“I prayed about it, slept on it and consulted my family before deciding for certain Monday night that Auburn was the best place for me,” Adams said.
“I want to thank God first, then my parents, coaches and everybody else at Dooly County High School who helped to make me a better person.”
Adams, who made official visits to all of his top five choices, was coveted so highly that he received recognition as the No. 1 ranked defensive tackle by some scouting services.
One of the state’s top all-time college recruits, ESPN, Rivals, 247Sports and Scout had him ranked in the top three at his position.
Named the Region 4-A and overall GHSA Class A Defensive Player of the Year, Adams was ranked No. 4 nationally among recruits at all positions. He also received All-American recognition from Under Armour, U.S. Army, USA Today and Parade Magazine.
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Surrounded by family and friends, star Dooly County High defensive tackle Montravius Adams ended Wednesday a 13-month guess as to where he would play college football when he signed with Auburn University during ceremonies televised nationally by ESPN-U. Becky Crissman/Cordele Dispatch
Dooly's Adams makes Auburn his choice
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