Oregon quarterback Vernon Adams was familiar with Chip Kelly long before meeting him for the first time two weeks ago at the NFL Scouting Combine.
“I talked to him at the combine for a little bit,” Adams said Thursday at Oregon’s pro day. “He was telling me to keep fighting, keep battling and keep having fun and enjoy the process.”
Adams transferred to Oregon last year for his final season of college football after playing three seasons at Eastern Washington. Adams said at the combine that if the 49ers run the same offense that Kelly installed with the Philadelphia Eagles, he would have a very good grasp of the playbook. Oregon runs much the same offensive system Kelly installed as coach of the Ducks before leaving for the NFL.
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“I watched them in Philly last year, and pretty much 80 percent or 90 percent of the plays I’d see I could call out that we run at Oregon,” Adams said at the combine. “I think I could really come in and run that offense, too.”
Adams, who stand 5 foot 10 ¾, is considered a mid- to late-round draft prospect. He might not have the size that Kelly covets, but his “repetitive accuracy” -- a term Kelly often uses when speaking of traits he values in his quarterbacks -- is impressive. Adams completed 64.9 percent of his passes as a senior at Oregon with 26 touchdowns and six interceptions.
“I had the No. 1 passing efficiency in the country last year, so they definitely preached a lot of taking what they give you,” Adams said. “Big plays will come, don’t force anything. I’ve always been taught like that.”