Despite some concerns about his character, former Ohio State left tackle Mike Adams was taken with the 56th overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers Friday night.
Adams’ late second-round selection was the second offensive tackle selection by the Steelers. Adams told The Lantern he wasn’t stressed about waiting to be picked in the draft.
“I’ve been a Steelers fan since I was born,” Adams said. “It’s a dream come true either way.”
The Dublin, Ohio, native was the first selected out of six Buckeyes excepted to be drafted. Adams was one of four Buckeyes who participated in the NFL Combine along with DeVier Posey, Daniel “Boom” Herron and Michael Brewster.
Adams was one of five OSU players suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season for trading Buckeyes football memorabilia in exchange for improper benefits in the form of tattoos.
Adams failed a February drug test at the NFL Combine in February, and disappointed on his bench press at the combine long before the positive test for marijuana was made public.
Adams sent an apology letter to all 32 NFL teams after testing positive for marijuana at the combine.
“I knew I messed up and I wanted them to know that I’ll do whatever it takes to be the best I can be,” Adams said. “And do everything I can do to help an organization. “
Despite his off-field struggles, Adams said he maintains high expectations for his NFL career.
“One of my goals is to be a starter,” Adams said. “I obviously, as a team, want to win a Super Bowl, and as an individual, I want to take myself to a couple Pro Bowls.”
At the NFL Combine, Adams measured 6-foot-7 while weighing in at 323-pounds.
In 2011 he was awarded the program’s Jim Parker Award as the team’s best offensive lineman.
