As a senior in 1972, Adams set an NCAA record on November 11 with 561 net passing yards and five touchdowns in a 44–16 Aggie win over the Utah Utes.

Seldom-injured, he left the game early in the first quarter with a lower leg injury,[6] hobbled around the sidelines, and changed into his street clothes at halftime.

When the Aggies fell behind early in the fourth quarter, Adams got back in uniform and re-entered the game.

His first actual professional season began with the Hartford Knights of the Atlantic Coast Football League.

[9] Adams played with the Southern California Sun in the World Football League (WFL) in 1974, where he statistically had his best pro season, completing 276 of 510 passes for 3905 yards and 23 TDs and 18 interceptions.

After being released by the Southern California Sun on January 13, 1975, Adams was signed as a free agent on April 18 by the Kansas City Chiefs.