Syracuse, N.Y. — Near the end of last December, Norwalk (Conn.) High School coach Sean Ireland sent an email to the Syracuse coaching staff. Inside was a link to Evan Adams' highlight reel.

With limited information available online, Ireland thought this was the offensive lineman's best bet to get noticed.

Nearly half a year later, Adams verbally committed to Syracuse. The 6-foot-6, 300-pound offensive lineman was on his way back from visiting Maryland when he made his decision on Thursday night.

Adams chose the Orange over offers from Maryland, Connecticut and Massachusetts. He visited Syracuse one week ago and becomes the first commit for first-year offensive line coach Joe Adam.

"He brings that mean streak on the field," Ireland said. "He doesn't want to block you, he wants to bury you."

Adams started at both guard and tackle positions in the last two years, Ireland said, but primarily played guard in the Bears' pull-heavy offense.

His playing weight as a junior was about 275 pounds, but is up to 300 according to a physical taken two or three weeks ago.

"When you look at him, he's not like this overwight, lumbering kid," Ireland said. "He's athletic enough to play wherever."

Adams is also a key contributor for Norwalk on the defensive side of the ball, playing defensive tackle.

The 11th verbal commitment in Syracuse's Class of 2015, Adams is the fourth offensive lineman in the group. The Orange also has pledges from St. Thomas Aquinas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) High School teammates Sam Clausman and Colin Byrne, as well as Cody Conway from Plainfield (Ill.) North High School.

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