STARKVILLE — For three years, Nelson Adams was the only Adams on the Mississippi State football team.
Coming out of Brandon High School, Adams signed with MSU and redshirted in 2012 before playing as a redshirt freshman and sophomore.
Gearing up for his junior season in 2015, Adams knew he was going to have additional family support after his younger brother, Fletcher, signed with MSU in February of 2015.
“It’s about the same that it was in high school when we played together,” Nelson said of their relationship. “I just try to help him out anyway possible, make sure he knows what’s going on, and just try to tell him how to play.”
Fletcher was redshirted last season, while Nelson played in all 13 games and drew three starts. Fletcher watched from the sidelines at home games and in Starkville for road games as his older brother played. But that won’t be the case this season when MSU plays host to South Alabama in its season opener at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3 (SEC Network).
Nelson was a senior at Brandon High when Fletcher joined the varsity football team. Fletcher said they have a nice relationship, but that it has changed a lot since his days as a freshman in high school.
“There are still things I ask him for or something I need help with. Me being a sophomore, I know what’s going on,” Fletcher said.
During Fletcher’s freshman season, Nelson’s off-campus apartment was a place he would frequent. Living on campus in a dorm room, Fletcher found himself hanging out with his brother to get away from campus.
Fletcher now has his own place off campus and Nelson said he doesn’t see his brother as often. Nelson joked Fletcher thinks he is grown now that he has his own place and has one year in the program.
But Nelson admitted the dynamic between the two has changed.
“It was a little more me watching over him because he wasn’t that old. Now he’s 20 years old, so I pretty much let him do what he wants to do,” Nelson said. “He’ll make his own decisions now. Back then it was more of like a big brother thing. Now, it’s just more like a friend.”
In three seasons, Nelson has 55 tackles (four-and-a-half for loss), one-and-a-half sacks, and two passes defended. Making his first career start against Troy last season, Nelson recovered a fumble in the end zone for his first career touchdown.
Nelson, who has taken on more of a leadership role, including being the mouthpiece for the front seven, said he doesn’t believe he is harder on Fletcher than the other younger players. However, he said he yells at Fletcher a lot, a right he has being his older brother.
Fletcher said Nelson hasn’t been harder on him and has liked his brother being in a leadership role.
“He helps me with a lot of stuff like technique or what’s going on,” Fletcher said. “He’s very smart. He’s pretty equal with me and the other guys, too.”
During his senior year at Brandon, Fletcher had 136 tackles (23 for loss) and eight sacks. He made 111 tackles (17 for loss), eight sacks, and one interception as a junior.
Fletcher had offers from Alabama, Ole Miss, Auburn, Florida, and Georgia, among others, coming out of high school. He could have gone a different route and not followed his brother.
“The recruiting process was good,” Fletcher said. “There were a lot of schools coming at me. Like I say all the time, guys don’t get the opportunity to play with their older brothers. That was a big plus. It’s a good experience right now. I’m ready to get on that field when it matters and play with him.”
Nelson wanted Fletcher to come to MSU, but he didn’t push him during the recruiting process. He wanted Fletcher to make his own decision.
The decision has made it easier for their parents Lonnie and Darlene.
“I think they’re real proud because it’s hard to be two places at once on Saturdays,” Nelson said. “They can watch us both at the same time instead of part of the family goes here and part of the family goes elsewhere.”
Nelson and Fletcher have an older brother, Tyler, who played basketball at Georgetown. They feel their relationship and understanding of how each one plays will serve them well on the field.
“We bond pretty good. We have a pretty good relationship. We pretty much have an idea of how we play together,” Fletcher said.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.