Backstory
When Adebyo first stepped onto campus in early 2009, everyone who saw him knew he was going to make a great college football player. He was then, and remains now, just about the best athletic specimen most of us have every seen.
Year by Year
2009: Became a rare freshman defensive lineman to break into the lineup with the varsity. Got onto the field five times, including the 38-0 win over Princeton. Finished the season with four tackles.
2010: Won the starting job at defensive end, and beefed his stats up to 11 eleven tackles, but did not make a huge impact at the position.
2011: Remained as the primary starter and made a bigger impact with 24 total tackles, two sacks and seven total tackles for a loss.
Highlights
-Came out like gangbusters in the early going of the 2011 season opener at Fordham with four total tackles, three tackles for a loss including a sack all in just the 1st quarter.
-Had the huge fumble recovery early in the 4th quarter of the 2011 season finale against Brown that turned the game around for the Lions.
Scouting Report
Fast, strong and big with all the tools to become a premiere impact player in the league. Has been hampered by some weaknesses at the defensive tackle position at Columbia that has led to reduced opportunities for the defensive ends. Started playing with more intensity in 2011, something he'll need to draw on for his senior season.
Jake's Take
Adebayo is under the radar for most Ivy watchers and they could be in for a very rude awakening this season if he finally breaks out.
After the horrific loss to Penn at Homecoming, then Head Coach Norries Wilson temporarily "kicked" Adebayo off the team because he threw his helmet down in anger on the sideline. Wilson reversed his decision a day or two later, (something that was wise since those kinds of outbursts were something Wilson was famous for himself), but the incident showed me something about how much Adebayo wants to succeed and get this team to start winning.
Now's his chance to make that happen with his helmet still strapped ON.
1 comment:
With a player like Adebayo coaching is critical because you know he can perform at a very high level and it's just a matter of the new coaching staff utilizing him better than the last coaching staff. Although football is a team sport, it's still very much about a coach recognizing the particular talents of a player and what he does best. Sometimes it's just a question of showing the player a game film where he excelled and saying this is what you need to do. It's football version of a swimmer or runner's best race. Adebayo is likely to have a tremendous season this season under the new coaching staff.
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