J.J. Jenkins
jjjenkins.md@gmail.com
“My objective is, one, getting my degree, then after that I want to show all these (scouts) that overlooked me because they thought I couldn’t be healthy again, that they missed out on a guy like me,” he said.
In addition to Akins, the Cal Poly football team filled its 2013 recruiting class on National Signing Day with commitments ranging from Joe Protheroe, the third leading rusher in the state of California, to Sean McDonald, a junior college transfer who head coach Tim Walsh said could make an impact on the offensive line next season.
“This year’s class is more about the future than the present because I think we’re good enough with the guys we have in our program to win a lot of football games next year in a very competitive schedule,” Walsh said.
Akins, a 6-foot-2, 175-pound wide receiver, verbally committed to the Mustangs during fall, turning down an offer from Sacramento State in the process, and signed his letter of intent on Wednesday. He was attracted to Cal Poly’s passing attack that has slowly emerged during the past two years.
“The team is looking to open up and throw the ball a bit more,” Akins said. “They’re recruiting bigger linemen and receivers, and using the run game to open up the pass game. I like balanced offenses a lot, because, as a receiver, when you run the ball it opens up bigger plays when you pass the ball.”
He was once considered a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) prospect before injuring his meniscus during his junior year, which required surgery. However, he rebounded from the setback during the spring when he made it to the 2012 CIF Track and Field Championships in the 110-meter hurdles. During his senior season, during which he caught four touchdowns and racked up 803 receiving yards, he said he felt faster and healthier.
At another skill position, coaches hope Protheroe will provide the Mustangs with a spark at the running back slot in seasons to come. He had a breakout year at Concord Clayton Valley High School where he ran for more than 3,000 yards, good enough for third most in the state. He averaged 12.88 yards per carry and 215.3 yards per game, scoring 36 touchdowns including 34 on the ground.
“The kid is tough and he runs the ball very similar to Deonte Williams,” running backs coach Aristotle Thompson said. “With the style of runner he is, we think he has the potential to be explosive.”
He was offered a walk-on position from FBS schools such as Oregon, Fresno State and San Jose State and turned down a scholarship offer from Sacramento State.
McDonald reportedly had an offer from Connecticut after spending two seasons at City College of San Francisco, but surprised coaches by choosing Cal Poly. The 6-foot-4, 285 pound offensive lineman did not use a redshirt year, but defensive line coach Josh Brown expects him to play next season.
“We’re expecting him to play and play early,” Brown said. “He’s got great feet and he’s a really good athlete.”
The class also includes two commitments from local athletes Jack Ferguson, a linebacker from San Luis Obispo High School, and Ross Berry, a offensive lineman from Templeton High School. All 12 athletes are from California.
Rounding out the commitments are safety Aaryn Bouzos, running back Jake Brito, linebacker Marshaun Daniel, lineman Joey Kuperman, running back/safety Kyle Lewis, defensive line Zach Rusick and wide receiver Josh Savage.