Florida State freshman Cam Akers’ reputation as one of the nation’s most talented running backs began in his home state of Mississippi.
Just ask the Southern Miss coaches and players, who are well aware of Akers’ capabilities and his accomplishments in the state and hope to slow him from making FSU history during Wednesday’s matchup in the Independence Bowl.
Akers, the former five-star recruit and the highest rated offensive player ever to sign with the Seminoles, needs just 79 yards rushing to break FSU all-time leading rusher Dalvin Cook’s freshman record for yards in a season.
“He’s fast. He’s explosive. He’s a strong back. You look at him, and there’s no chink in his game,” Southern Miss coach Jay Hopson said of Akers Tuesday.
“ … I know for Florida State, the thing they’re excited about is he’s a true freshman and they get him back for a few more years.”
Akers was considered the heir apparent to Cook and the production he provided the Seminoles, with Cook amassing 4,464 yards rushing during his three-year career from 2014-16.
As a freshman, Cook took 170 carries for 1,008 yards and eight touchdowns during the 2014 season, while Akers has steadily kept pace with 181 carries for 930 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
During his high school career, Akers nearly accounted for 13,000 career yards with 142 touchdowns, primarily playing quarterback at Clinton High in Clinton, Miss.
“You watched him in high school and saw how athletic he was and saw how he took over games. In the state championship, he scored seven touchdowns and that says it all against the top competition in the state,” Hopson said.
“He’s a talented young man, and we know defensively we have to play well. He’s one of the key men we’re going to need to stop.”
If Akers accomplishes the FSU freshman rushing feat with an impressive performance in the bowl game, he could garner even more comparisons to his standout predecessor.
“[Akers has] been a tremendous kid since he’s stepped on campus,” said junior running back Jacques Patrick, who has played with both Akers and Cook.
“It’s been a pleasure playing with [Akers]. I’ve seen the growth in him from Day 1. He’s making grown man runs. It’s really nice to see, and he’s got a bright future ahead of him.”
Andrews earns praise
Wednesday’s bowl game will be the final game for several members of the FSU football team.
But FSU interim coach Odell Haggins gave unique praise to fifth-year senior Nate Andrews, who fueled the Seminoles’ defense with seven interceptions during his first two seasons before injuries hindered his college career.
Andrews, who has shifted his focus to advising younger players in FSU’s secondary, is healthy and expected to play in the bowl game.
“That guy, coming here as a freshman, he made a lot of big plays for us in 2013,” Haggins said of Andrews. “We probably wouldn’t have won the national championship [without him].
USM connections
Several members of the Southern Miss coaching staff have ties to the Florida State program.
Defensive line coach Derek Nicholson played linebacker for the Seminoles from 2005-08, and his wife, Onnie Trusty, played for the FSU soccer team. Cornerback coach Dan Disch graduated from FSU in 1981.
Defensive coordinator Tony Pecoraro was a graduate assistant from 2002-03 before working at a defensive quality control coach from 2007-09, while offensive line coach Erick Losey was a quality control coach at the same position from 2009-10.
Seminoles fans might distinctly remember offensive lineman Bryan Stork, who won the national title in 2013 and a Super Bowl with the Patriots as a NFL rookie in 2014. Stork is an offensive graduate assistant for the Golden Eagles.
“I’m sure it makes it special for them,” Hopson said of the bowl matchup for the coaches with FSU ties.
Is Favre coming?
Former Southern Miss quarterback Brett Favre played against FSU three times during his college career, losing in 1987 and 1988 before leading his team to a win over the Seminoles in Jacksonville in 1989.
Hopson said Favre could make an appearance to support his college team during Wednesday’s game.
“I think Brett is coming. But you’ll have to call Brett and ask him,” Hopson said with a smile. “No person represents the spirit of Southern Miss football better than Brett Favre. Hopefully he’ll be here, and he knows we love him.”
Email Safid Deen at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @Safid_Deen and @osfsu. Also, like our Florida State Facebook page for the latest updates on the Seminoles.