Adams is ACC's top rookie

RALEIGH -- A Wake Forest football program that relies on patient redshirting and fifth-year seniors suddenly has produced consecutive ACC rookies of the year.

Running back Josh Adams, who starred at Cary High School, is the latest freshman standout for the Demon Deacons, joining last year's winner, quarterback Riley Skinner, in a backfield that could have coach Jim Grobe's misdirection offense clicking for years to come.

"It's an honor in itself to be the second player ... from Wake Forest," Adams said Tuesday. "I'd be selfish to say I accomplished it all on my own. A lot went into it from my teammates, the coaching staff and the whole thing -- it's about more than one person."

Adams -- also the league's overwhelming offensive rookie of the year -- received 51 of a possible 71 votes in balloting conducted by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. North Carolina quarterback T.J. Yates was second with 12 votes, followed by Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor (five votes). UNC defensive lineman Marvin Austin and safety Deunta Williams joined Miami's Graig Cooper in receiving one vote apiece.

Williams was the defensive rookie of the year, receiving 48 votes. Teammate Charles Brown was voted first on nine ballots, followed by Virginia's Ras-I Dowling (five), Georgia Tech's Morgan Burnett (three), Austin (two) and N.C. State's Markus Kuhn (two).

Adams led all ACC freshmen in rushing, ranking third overall with an average of 80.6 yards per game behind all-conference running backs Tashard Choice of Georgia Tech and James Davis of Clemson.

The second-team All-ACC selection shared time in the backfield with fifth-year senior Micah Andrews and worked his way into the starting lineup, taking over after four games and starting the final eight. He set the school record for redshirt freshmen with 887 yards rushing and had three 100-yard games and 10 touchdowns.

"Really, gaining confidence going into each game and just having your teammates have your back, working hard to have a successful season," Adams said. "I don't think it's just one thing that necessarily (is most memorable), just gaining confidence, sticking together as a team and picking one another up and, when we suffer a tough loss, rebounding."

His best game was a 150-yard prime-time outing against Florida State on Oct. 11. He ran 83 yards down the right sideline for a momentum-shifting touchdown in helping the Demon Deacons run all over the Seminoles' defense, and he added a touchdown catch in the 24-21 victory.

Grobe considered playing Adams as a first-year freshman last season when Wake Forest had depth issues at tailback during its run to the ACC title and Orange Bowl bid.

Instead, the coaches allowed Adams to redshirt and now could have him in the backfield for three more seasons.