Chop Chat
Fansided

FSU Football: Cam Akers looking to improve on everything in 2018

By Kelvin Hunt

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 7: Running back Cam Akers #3 of the Florida State Seminoles carries the ball as defensive back Jaquan Johnson #4 of the Miami Hurricanes tries to tackle him during the first half of an NCAA football game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 7: Running back Cam Akers #3 of the Florida State Seminoles carries the ball as defensive back Jaquan Johnson #4 of the Miami Hurricanes tries to tackle him during the first half of an NCAA football game at Doak S. Campbell Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

FSU football should be one of the best running football teams in the ACC in 2018 and Cam Akers will be a huge part of it.

Coach Taggart, Cam Akers and Brian Burns represented FSU Football at the ACC Football Kickoff event in Charlotte this week.

A lot of information was shared regarding what Willie Taggart is bringing to the Noles in his first year. Lots of questions about the culture and what has changed since Coach Taggart arrived.

Cam Akers was thought to be a leader on the FSU football team even as a true freshman last season. His freshman production along with status as the best running back in the nation coming out of high school seemed like a natural thing to happen.

Akers was asked where he’s looking to make the biggest improvement as a player from year one to year two. His answer is telling of the culture change in having your best players in the ear of others. An extension of the coaching staff if you will:

"My biggest improvement would be leadership, being more vocal as a leader. Coach Tag talks to me about that all the time, just being more vocal and taking on that role."

The other thing I loved is when Akers spoke on improving his production from a season ago. Akers averaged 5.3 ypc while breaking Dalvin Cook’s FSU football freshman rushing record.

"We’ve got to get that up. That wasn’t enough. I did a lot of research on a lot of other backs, 7.5, 6.2, so I feel like I’ve got a lot of work to do. You’ll be seeing that progress this season."

Thoughts

For comparison sake, FSU great Dalvin Cook averaged 6.5 ypc for his career and rushed for nearly 4,500 yards in three seasons. What’s going to be interesting is how Akers will fare in an offense that features the run game a bit more than the old regime.

Akers also spoke about learning to take what the defense gives and not expecting to score a touchdown on every play like in high school. It’s the same lesson Dalvin Cook had to learn his freshman season.

Next: Ranking FSU's Top Offensive Players for 2018

Cook improved from 5.9 ypc to 7.4 ypc his sophomore season. If we see a similar increase from Akers it could mean big things for FSU football in 2018.

Home/FSU Football