By Mark Pszonak
No matter how much buzz a true freshman carries with them when they first arrive on campus, coaches tend to try to quiet the noise. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney took a different approach recently when discussing defensive tackle Amare Adams, who he compared to two Tiger greats:
Dabo Swinney says frosh DT Amare Adams looks a little bit like Bryan Bresee but he's more polished than Bresee (who would stand up a lot off the snap).
Also says Adams has some of the strength of Dexter Lawrence.
OK, then.
— Jon Blau (@Jon_Blau) February 28, 2025
Adams won’t be an underdog story, as he was a five-star signee from South Carolina who committed to the Tigers in late 2023 over the Gamecocks. But comparing him to Brian Bresee and especially Dexter Lawrence, is an interesting decision by Coach Swinney.
Bresee and Lawrence were also five-star signees by Clemson, who arrived on campus with an abundant amount of pressure, so that aspect of the comparison makes sense. But can Adams live up to the rest? Bresee was the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 and the No. 29 overall draft pick by New Orleans in 2023, where he has totaled 49 tackles and 12 sacks during his first two seasons.
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Lawrence’s accomplishments are at an entirely different level. He was also the ACC Defensive Rooke of the Year (2016) plus a First-Team All-American (2018). He was then selected with the No. 17 overall pick by the New York Giants in 2019, where he has become an All-Pro player, including earning his first first-team nod in 2024.
Adams does have the potential to become as good as Bresee and Lawrence, but considering the Tigers just started spring practice two days ago, the pressure he was already facing was just increased by Coach Swinney. Now everyone will see how the young five-star will respond to the extra noise that will be surrounding him this season.
