Joseph Adams allowed the University of Arkansas to claim a come-from-behind recruiting victory.

Adams, Central Arkansas Christian’s standout receiver who had committed to the University of Southern California last fall, switched his loyalties earlier this week and signed with the Razorbacks on Wednesday in front of an overjoyed crowd that included his family, friends and CAC’s student body that packed the school’s auditorium.

“I talked to my mom about it a couple of nights ago,” Adams said. “We sat down and looked at all the good things about the [two ] colleges and the bad things. After we talked it over, I felt like Arkansas was going to be the best place for me.”

Adam scored 24 touchdowns during his senior season — his second at CAC after transferring from Little Rock Parkview — including 10 rushing, 12 receiving and 1 each on punt and interception returns. He ran 78 times for 742 yards, an average of 9. 5 yards a carry, and he caught 33 passes for 770 yards. More than a third of his receptions resulted in touchdowns. Adams also led CAC Continued from Page 1 W in interceptions with five.

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Adams said the coaching change in Fayetteville played a large role in his decision to switch allegiances. He cited Coach Bobby Petrino’s offensive style as one of the top positives.

“I was still committed to SC,” Adams said. “But when [Arkansas ] brought Petrino in, I watched some of his games while he was at Louisville and they throw the ball a lot. That’s what I was looking for.”

In his final year at Louisville, Petrino’s 2006 team averaged 37. 8 points and 475. 3 yards a game. Louisville threw 29. 5 times a game that season for an average 290 yards.

“When they brought in Petrino, I knew they were going to pass the ball more than they run the ball,” Adams said. “We’ve got a lot of receivers coming in so I think that’s going to work out.”

Southern California never fell out of favor with Adams. Coach Pete Carroll and four USC assistants made an in-home visit to Adams on Jan. 28, three days after Adams made an official visit to Southern California. But Arkansas clearly made an impression on the receiver in the weeks before signing day.

“I really liked USC,” Adams said. “I still like them now. I really liked the coaching staff. They had a good bond with their kids. I liked the area and all the people there.”

Adams said the Arkansas coaching staff has told him he will see the majority of his action as the team’s slot receiver and on special teams.

“If they want me to play a little defense, I’ll play that too,” Adams said.

Playing in Fayetteville instead of Los Angeles also played into Adams’ final decision.

“It was a real big factor because I want to be able to look in the stands after I score a touchdown and see my family,” Adams said.

Adams kept his final decision a secret from almost everyone until just seconds before signing the papers.

“I told some of my friends, but I made sure they didn’t tell anybody,” Adams said. “Actually, I’m glad I kept it quiet. I really wanted to tell everybody, but I wanted to wait until Wednesday and surprise all of you.”

Adams’ mother, Charlotte Allmon, said her son began thinking heavily about his decision during the weekend.

“We were sitting down, watching TV and we started talking about it,” Allmon said. “It was Friday when we got the drawing board down and started listing all the positives and negatives of both schools. I don’t know who came to who, but I know on Monday, that’s when he decided.”

“This is a big weight off my shoulders and my mom’s shoulders, cause I know she was getting tired of it,” Adams said.