He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2010.

[2] After Adams tested positive for drug use at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine the Pittsburgh Steelers initially removed him from their draft board.

After beginning his third season as a back-up, Adams received his first start of the year on October 26, 2014, in a 51–34 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

In early June 2015, Adams was placed on the PUP list before training camp in order to recuperate from a back surgery.

[10] Adams was stabbed in an apparent robbery attempt in the early morning hours of June 1, 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.