Antioch senior quarterback Andre Adams dropped back during a July 31 preseason scrimmage against Brentwood Academy, standing unwavered in the pocket, before throwing a 40-yard touchdown pass down the right sideline.
On the receiving end of that TD was his younger brother, sophomore wide receiver Aaden “Bug” Adams, who chirped toward the opposing sideline.
Andre expected nothing less.
Andre Adams, a three-star prospect committed to Colorado, predicts a “big year” for his younger brother in their final season together at Antioch.
Aaden Adams, unhesitatingly, agreed.
“I’m the best one in the family,” he said.
Aaden Adams is the youngest of three brothers who have played football at Antioch. His oldest brother, Andrew Cross-Adams, is a redshirt-freshman
safety at Middle Tennessee State. The middle brother, Andre, threw for 3,418 yards and 35 touchdowns with one interception in 2025, adding 855 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground while being a Class 6A Mr. Football finalist.
Aaden, who caught 25 passes for 601 yards and three touchdowns as a freshman, doesn't put pressure on himself to match his brothers accomplishments.
“I’m not really worried about (Andre) leaving (for college) because I know what I can do,” Adams said.
Aaden competed against his brothers in the backyard in his childhood, playing 7-on-7 football with 14-year-olds while he was in fifth grade. They also played baseball and basketball together.
He said his brothers "roughing him up," along with playing against older competition has molded his fiery and confident personality.
“It’ll be times he makes a play, and he gets hype, sometimes a little too hyped,” Andre Adams said.
Andre said he embraces being the “chill,” one of the two particularly because of his importance as Antioch’s quarterback, but also because he’s grown used to Aaden.
On the field, Aaden plays receiver and defense for Antioch. When he’s on defense and Andre is at quarterback, his mentality towards his brother is straightforward.
“That’s my enemy,” Aaden Adams said.
Andre doesn't take it as seriously.
As Aaden’s offensive responsibilities grew throughout his freshman year, it meant they'd be sharing the field more. Aaden said the continuity with Andre clicked right away, both of them knowing exactly where they should be.
Before one of their two scores against Brentwood Academy, Aaden told Andre about an adjustment he wanted to make to his route. Andre agreed, Aaden made the adjustment and they connected for the touchdown
The rapport doesn’t change what is required of him in Antioch’s offense, he still has to run the correct routes and earn the football.
If he doesn’t, his father, Antioch offensive coordinator Kenny Adams, who’s has coached all three sons, will be quick to let him know about it.
“No coach will ever be able to break [Andre] because he’s already had the tough coaching from me,” Kenny said. “As far as Bug, I gotta stay on him anyway.”
Off the field, they’re still competing, whether Aaden loses to Andre six straight times in Madden, or their brotherly bickering.
Andre leaves for Colorado after the 2026-27 TSSAA season, while Aaden will have two seasons remaining at Antioch. Aaden said he’ll miss having his brother throw him the ball and spending time with him after practice but anticipates stepping into the leadership void when he’s gone.
“It’s real love,” he said. “Real love.”
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Inside the Andre Adams, Aaden Adams, brotherly dynamic for Antioch Football
