Former EWU QB Vernon Adams Jr. preparing for jump to Oregon
Underappreciated no longer, Vernon Adams Jr. is heading for bigger things.
Better things, too? Time will tell, but Adams has never lacked for confidence, a major reason the FCS All-American quarterback announced on Feb. 9 that he would carry his football talents from Eastern Washington to national power Oregon.
“I’m going to try to win this starting spot and lead Oregon back to the national championship – and win it,” Adams said that day. “I want to thank God for this amazing opportunity.”
Since then, things have been a bit awkward in Cheney, as Adams and the Eagles move in a different direction:
- Adams has been spotted on campus decked out in Duck gear – a sore point for some Eagle fans, given that EWU opens the season on Sept. 5 in Eugene. He was booed at an Eastern basketball game on Feb. 12.
- While some of Adams’ ex-teammates have wished him well, others recently removed his All-American awards from the football locker room. “I guess some of the guys were kind of butt-hurt,” Adams told Fox Sports.
- Even as he stated that he was basing his decision on “what’s best for my future and my family,” Adams broke up in January with his girlfriend, Cheyenne Merritt, an EWU student and the mother of his 8-month-old son, Vernon Kash Adams III. They will stay behind in Cheney while Adams pursues his dream, Merritt confirmed. “We’re not together anymore,” Merritt said.
- On Feb. 12, Eastern coach Beau Baldwin restricted Adams from from using the athletic weight room, which is reserved for varsity athletes. Since then, Adams has worked out at a fitness facility in Cheney. SEE ALSO: Baldwin, Adams Jr. agree there’s no controversy
- Since the Feb. 9 announcement, Adams has refused numerous interview requests from The Spokesman-Review, but has spoken at length with regional and national media.
- That UCLA and Texas also were in the mix for his services, but that the final choice was between Eastern and Oregon;
- He admitted being dazzled by Oregon’s uniforms and facilities;
- He felt that the chance to be part of the Ducks’ offensive scheme would make him more marketable as a coach after his playing career is over;
- He felt a strong connection with the Oregon players during his visit to Eugene on Jan. 30-Feb. 1. “They kept it real, and they’re very family-oriented over there, and very welcoming,” said Adams, echoing his comments about his recruitment by Eastern. “All the guys, the players, coaches, showed me a lot of love on my visit. It seemed like an opportunity of a lifetime,” Adams told Fox Sports.