Nate Adkins 'has been a stud' for South Carolina

If Shane Beamer’s said it once over this bowl season, he’s said it a million times: thank God for Nate Adkins. 

Sometimes it rings a tad bit tongue and cheek given the fact that Adkins is the only healthy scholarship tight end on the roster.

But there’s more than a grain of truth to it. Adkins has been one of the more valuable players on the roster down the stretch this season. 

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“He’s got the respect of his teammates because of what he does. (Adkins) is really a better athlete, as he showed in the Clemson game, than people give him credit for from a pass-catching standpoint,” Beamer said. 

“He’s a Swiss Army knife that does it all, and he’s really, really good on special teams. He’s been a starter on our punt team, our kickoff return team. He really can play everywhere. We got to be smart with how we use him for sure.”

When Adkins committed, fans probably looked at him as just an in-line tight end coming up from the FCS to spend his final year of college with his father, Greg, who is South Carolina’s offensive line coach. 

The production at East Tennessee State was there: 73 catches for almost 750 yards and four touchdowns. But he was someone who was going to be a depth piece. 

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Injuries might have started him out that way. But he’s quickly turned into an integral part of this team in all three phases. 

He plays special teams but he’s also a blocking tight end. South Carolina’s started to use him more in the downfield pass game. Adkins even played as a blocking running back when that room was thin.

“Nate has been a stud. He just does so much. He wasn’t flashy. But we knew when he decided to come what a great football player we were getting just from a toughness standpoint, in the run game,” Beamer said. “I think he’s one of these guys that said earlier in the season they loved him because he was like an extra offensive lineman with his mentality in there.”

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Beamer spoke highly of Adkins’ consistency day in and day out. Adkins has played a ton of late and come up big time in and time out the final two games. 

Six of his eight catches and 82 of his 90 yards have come against Tennessee and Clemson, including an incredible one-handed grab to set up a score in the upset over the Tigers. 

“Whenever I came here I knew I was going to be known more for the blocking tight end with (Austin Stogner) and Jaheim (Bell) and Trae Kenion and all those guys who can do the receiving thing,” Adkins said. “I knew I was going to be more of a blocker when I came in. Whenever I got the opportunity to run a deep ball and have a chance to catch it I was excited. I was doing whatever I can to help the team.”

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And the Gamecocks are going to need him Friday against Notre Dame.

Adkins didn’t blink when asked how much he can play. He said he’ll play 70 offensive snaps and on special teams if they ask him to. 

It’ll be the final game of his collegiate career and the end to an experience he’s grateful to have.

“I think coming here and gaining SEC experience. Growing up as a coach’s kid with my dad at Tennessee and other big schools, growing up and seeing the big football atmosphere that fans love,” Adkins said.

“Going to ETSU, fans loved it there but the magnitude and scale is completely different. Coming here I’ve learned more football-specific things with the great coaches here as well as the fan experience. The atmosphere at South Carolina is unmatched. I’m so grateful and excited to finish my year here.” 

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