Vernon Adams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Vernon Adams Jr.

No. 3     Calgary Stampeders
Adams with the Calgary Stampeders in 2025
Born:	(1993-01-03) January 3, 1993 (age 32) Pasadena, California, U.S.
Career information
Status	Active
CFL status	American
Position(s)	Quarterback
Height	5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight	200 lb (91 kg)
College	Eastern Washington (2012-2014) Oregon (2015)
High school	Bishop Alemany (Mission Hills, California)
NFL draft	2016 / Undrafted
Career history
As player
2016–2017	Montreal Alouettes
2017	Saskatchewan Roughriders
2018*	Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2018–2022	Montreal Alouettes
2022–2024	BC Lions
2025–present	Calgary Stampeders
Career highlights and awards
CFL East All-Star (2019) CFL rushing touchdowns co-leader (2019) CFL passing yardage leader (2023) 2x Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year (2013, 2014) 2x First-team All-Big Sky (2013, 2014)
Career stats
Passing completions	956
Passing attempts	1,488
Passing yards	13,261
TD–INT	80–45
Rushing Yards	1,431
Rushing touchdowns	21
Playing stats at CFL.ca

Vernon Anthony Adams Jr. (born January 3, 1993) is an American professional football quarterback. He currently plays for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Adams played college football for the Eastern Washington Eagles and Oregon Ducks. He has also been a member of the Montreal Alouettes, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and BC Lions.

Early Life and High School Football

Vernon Adams Jr. grew up in Mission Hills, Los Angeles. He went to Bishop Alemany High School, graduating in 2011. During his junior and senior years, he was an amazing player.

High School Achievements

As a junior, Adams threw for 2,333 yards and 22 touchdowns. He also ran for 367 yards and five touchdowns. His team, Alemany, had a great record of 10 wins and 4 losses.

In his senior year (2010), he was named the Most Valuable Player of the Serra League. He led his team to win the league title. Alemany won its first 12 games that season. Adams threw for 2,901 yards and 27 touchdowns. He also ran for 896 yards and 14 touchdowns.

Choosing a College

Even with his great high school stats, Adams didn't get many scholarship offers from big football schools. This was partly because of concerns about his height. He received only two offers from smaller schools: Portland State and Eastern Washington. Adams first said he would go to Portland State. However, he later changed his mind and signed with Eastern Washington.

College Football Career

Vernon Adams Jr. played college football for two different teams. He started at Eastern Washington and later transferred to Oregon.

Eastern Washington Eagles

2012 Season: A Strong Start

Adams spent his first year (2011) as a "redshirt" player, meaning he practiced but didn't play in games. In 2012, he started playing as a quarterback. He helped the Eagles reach the semifinals of the FCS playoffs. He threw for 1,961 yards and 20 touchdowns.

In a playoff game against Sam Houston State, Adams came off the bench. He threw for 364 yards and a school-record six touchdowns. He almost helped his team come back from a big deficit. For his great play, he was named Freshman of the Year by College Sporting News.

2013 Season: National Attention

In 2013, Adams became the main starting quarterback. He led his team to a big upset win against #25 Oregon State. In that game, he threw for 411 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns. This performance made him the first player from a smaller FCS school to be mentioned in the Heisman Trophy polls.

Adams led the Eagles to a 12-3 record and a Big Sky Conference Championship. They also reached the NCAA Division I Semifinals. He was named the Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year. He threw for 4,994 yards and 55 touchdowns. He also ran for 605 yards.

2014 Season: Continued Success

Adams continued to be one of the best players in the FCS in 2014. He led his team to their third straight Big Sky Conference championship. He broke two bones in his foot during a game in October, which made him miss four games.

In a game against Washington, Adams threw for 475 yards and seven touchdowns. This was the most touchdowns the Huskies had ever allowed at home. Adams was named Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row. He was also named a First-Team All-American.

Oregon Ducks

In January 2015, Adams decided to leave Eastern Washington. He wanted to play for a bigger school for his senior year. He considered Oregon, UCLA, and Boise State.

On February 9, 2015, Adams announced he would transfer to Oregon. He officially joined the Oregon Ducks after finishing a math course. After only two weeks on campus, he was named the starting quarterback. He started 10 games, throwing for 2,643 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also led the nation in passing efficiency.

College Statistics

College Awards

• East-West Shrine Game Offensive MVP (2016)
• PAC-12 Newcomer of the Year (2015)
• College Football Performance Awards FCS National Performer of the Year (2013)
• First Team FCS All-American (2013, 2014)
• 2× First Team All-Big Sky Conference (2013, 2014)
• 2× Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year (2013, 2014)

Professional Football Career

After college, Vernon Adams Jr. was not chosen in the 2016 NFL draft. He tried out for the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Redskins but was not signed. He then turned his attention to the Canadian Football League (CFL).

Montreal Alouettes (First Time)

In May 2016, Adams' rights were traded to the Montreal Alouettes. He signed a three-year contract with them. He started his first game on October 22, 2016. He won all three games he started at the end of the season.

In 2017, Adams was a backup quarterback for the Alouettes. He scored one rushing touchdown.

Adams with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2017

Saskatchewan Roughriders

In August 2017, Adams was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He played in eleven regular season games as a backup. He also played in two playoff games. He scored three rushing touchdowns in the regular season.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

In February 2018, Adams was traded to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He was later released by the team in June 2018 without playing a game for them.

Adams with the Montreal Alouettes in 2022

Montreal Alouettes (Second Time)

2018 Season

Adams rejoined the Alouettes in June 2018. He started one game and scored a rushing touchdown. He then got a foot injury and missed the rest of the season. He signed a new two-year contract with the Alouettes in October 2018.

2019 Season: A Standout Year

Adams started the 2019 season as a backup. However, the starting quarterback got injured, and Adams became the starter. He played very well, winning three games in a row. He led the Alouettes to many comeback victories.

During one game, Adams was involved in an incident where he was suspended for one game. Despite this, he finished the season with a 10-5 record as a starter. He was named the team's Most Outstanding Player. He started his first CFL playoff game, but the Alouettes lost.

2020 Season

The 2020 CFL season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, Adams did not play that year.

2021 Season

Adams returned as the starting quarterback for the Alouettes in 2021. He suffered a shoulder injury in Week 10 and was placed on the injured reserve list. He played in eight games that season. In December 2021, Adams signed a contract extension with the Alouettes.

2022 Season

Adams started the first game of the 2022 season. He was later replaced by another quarterback. He was also placed on the injured reserve list with an elbow injury.

BC Lions

Adams with the BC Lions in 2022

2022 Season

On August 31, 2022, Adams was traded to the BC Lions. Their starting quarterback had a foot injury. Adams became the starting quarterback for the Lions in Week 15. He played in eight games for the Lions, starting six of them. He had a 4-2 record as a starter. He threw for 1,504 yards and six touchdowns.

The Lions' original starting quarterback returned from injury later in the season. He then signed with an NFL team, creating an opening for Adams. In February 2023, Adams signed a two-year contract extension with the Lions.

2023 Season: Leading the League

Adams began the 2023 season as the Lions' starting quarterback. He started the first six games, winning five of them. He suffered a knee injury in Week 7 but avoided a serious injury. He missed two games but returned to start all other remaining games. He finished with an 11-5 record as a starter.

He threw for 4,769 yards and 31 touchdowns, which were career highs. Adams led the CFL in passing yardage, even though he only started 16 games. In the West Semi-Final playoff game, Adams threw for 413 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for three more touchdowns. The Lions won that game. The following week, the Lions lost in the West Final.

2024 Season

Adams led the Lions to a 5-3 start in the 2024 season. He had five games with over 300 passing yards. In the eighth game, he left with a knee injury. The Lions later re-signed their former starting quarterback, but the team said Adams would not be traded.

Adams started the final regular season game, leading the Lions to a 27-3 victory. He also started the West Semi-Final playoff game. He threw a 56-yard touchdown pass and another 11-yard touchdown pass. However, the Lions lost the game.

Calgary Stampeders

On November 26, 2024, it was announced that Adams had been traded to the Calgary Stampeders. He is currently playing for them.

CFL Career Statistics

Playoffs