Cam Akers
refer to caption
Akers at the 2017 All-American Bowl
No. 31 – Minnesota Vikings
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1999-06-22) June 22, 1999
Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.
Height:5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight:217 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:Clinton (Clinton, Mississippi)
College:Florida State (2017–2019)
NFL Draft:2020 / Round: 2 / Pick: 52
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 9, 2023
Rushing yards:1,581
Rushing average:4.0
Rushing touchdowns:11
Receptions:38
Receiving yards:320
Receiving touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Cam Akers (born June 22, 1999) is an American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles.

Akers was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons with the team, including the 2021 season where he tore his Achilles tendon. He returned for the postseason and was a part of the Super Bowl LVI championship team. In 2023, he was traded to the Vikings, where another Achilles injury prematurely ended his season.

Early years

Akers attended Clinton High School in Clinton, Mississippi,[1] where he played quarterback and running back for the football team. As a senior, he rushed for 2,105 yards and 34 touchdowns, and passed for 3,128 passing yards and 31 touchdowns. For his high school career, he had 13,243 yards and 149 touchdowns.[2] Akers was named Mississippi Gatorade Player of The Year.[3] He also played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and won the U.S. Army Player of the Year Award in 2016.[4]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40‡ Commit date
Cam Akers
RB		 Clinton, MS Clinton (MS) 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 213 lb (97 kg) 4.41 Dec 27, 2016 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: N/A   Rivals:5/5 stars   247Sports:5/5 stars    ESPN:5/5 stars
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 2 (RB)  247Sports: 1 (RB)  ESPN: 1 (RB)
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Florida State Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  • "ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  • "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 24, 2023.

Akers was rated as a five-star recruit and was ranked among the top recruits in his class.[5][6] He committed to Florida State University to play college football.[7][8]

High school statistics

Season Passing Rushing
CmpAttPctYdsTDIntRtgAttYdsTD
2013 6313447.088173--1236844
2014 11920059.51,800205112.116689617
2015 14125056.42,331208101.31691,41816
2016 17328061.83,128316128.12422,10534
Career49686457.48,1407826106.77005,10371

College career

Akers with Florida State in 2019

2017 season

Florida State began the season against Alabama in the Chick-fil-a Kickoff Game. Akers rushed for 30 yards on 10 attempts in his college debut. They would lose, 24–7.[9] Akers first 100-yard game came against Miami (FL), where he rushed for 129 yards on 14 carries in a 24–20 loss.[10] Against Duke a week later, Akers scored his first college touchdown on a 46-yard touchdown run to beat the Blue Devils, 17–10.[11] In a game against Syracuse, Akers rushed for 199 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns.[12] Against Louisiana–Monroe in the final regular season game, Akers rushed for 117 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns.[13] After the 2017 Independence Bowl, Akers totals on the season went to 194 attempts for 1,025 yards and seven touchdowns. He also had 16 receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown. His rushing total broke the FSU freshman record previously held by Dalvin Cook in 2014 when he rushed for 1,008 yards.[14] Akers was named Third-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) at the end of the season.[15]

2018 season

Akers was again the starter for the 2018 season. He was also named Preseason All-ACC.[16] Akers didn't have a very good season, not having a 100-yard performance until second to last game of the season against Boston College, where he rushed for 110 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown.[17] Akers finished the season with 706 yards on 161 attempts and six touchdowns as well as 23 receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns.

2019 season

In Florida State's second game of the season, Akers rushed for 193 yards on 36 carries and a pair of touchdowns. He also had five receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown in their 45–44 win over Louisiana–Monroe. His 36 carries was a program record.[18] Against Louisville, Akers had 112 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns in a 35–24 win.[19] Against Wake Forest, Akers carried the ball 30 times for 157 yards and a touchdown as well as four receptions for 42 yards and another touchdown.[20] A week later against Syracuse, Akers had 20 carries for 144 yards and four touchdowns to rout the Orange, 35–17. His four touchdowns tied the program record.[21] In Akers final game against Florida, he had 17 rush attempts for 102 yards and a touchdown in a 40–17 loss.[22]

On December 14, 2019, Akers announced he would be skipping the Sun Bowl to enter the 2020 NFL Draft.[23] Akers finished his season tied for seventh in single-season touchdown carries with 14 and seventh in career rushing touchdowns with 27. His 1,144 yards were ranked sixth for a single-season and his 2,875 career rushing yards rank sixth in program history.[24] He was also named Second-Team All-ACC at the end of the season.[25]

College statistics

Florida State Seminoles
Season GP Rushing Receiving
AttYdsAvgTDRecYdsAvgTD
2017 131941,0255.37161167.31
2018 121617064.46231456.32
2019 112311,1445.014302257.54
Career365862,8754.927694867.07

Professional career

Pre-draft

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
5 ft 10+3⁄8 in
(1.79 m)		 217 lb
(98 kg)		 30+5⁄8 in
(0.78 m)		 9 in
(0.23 m)		4.47 s1.47 s2.62 s4.42 s35.5 in
(0.90 m)		10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)		20 reps
All values from NFL Combine[26][27]

Akers was considered the sixth-best running back to enter the 2020 NFL Draft and was a projected second-round pick.[28]

Los Angeles Rams

Akers with the Rams in 2020

2020 season

Akers was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round, 52nd overall, in the 2020 NFL Draft.[29]

In Week 11 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Akers scored his first career touchdown on a four-yard reception in the third quarter in a 27–24 victory.[30][31] In Week 14 against the New England Patriots, Akers rushed for 171 yards on 29 attempts which marked the sixth-most rushing yards by any NFL player in a single game during the 2020 season and fourth-most by a Rams rookie in a single game in franchise history. The Rams won the game by a score of 24–3.[32][33] Akers was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in Week 14.[34]

In the Wild Card Round of the NFL playoffs against the Seattle Seahawks, Akers rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown and caught 2 passes for 45 yards during the 30–20 win.[35] In the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Green Bay Packers, Akers rushed for 90 yards and a touchdown during the 32–18 loss.[36]

2021 season

On July 20, 2021, Akers tore his Achilles tendon while working out shortly before the start of training camp. Akers was expected to be sidelined for the entire 2021 season,[37] as he was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list to start the season. However, he was one of the first players to receive the SpeedBridge surgery, shortening his recovery time from 12 months to five months, and was activated to the active roster on December 25, 2021.[38] Akers returned to action in Week 18 against the San Francisco 49ers.[39] In the Super Bowl, Akers had 13 carries for 21 rushing yards and three receptions for 14 receiving yards in the Rams 23–20 victory against the Cincinnati Bengals.[40]

2022 season

Akers at training camp in 2023

Akers was expected to start Week 1 but ended up only getting three rushing attempts for three yards. Akers requested a trade from the Rams after Week 5 and did not play in the Rams' next two games. Akers returned to practice on November 3 and later denied requesting a trade.[41]

Against the Denver Broncos in Week 16, Akers rushed for 118 yards and three touchdowns in the 51–14 win.[42] He rushed for 123 yards on 19 carries against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 17 and 104 yards on 21 carries against the Seahawks in Week 18 and three catches for 24 receiving yards, finishing the season with three consecutive 100-yard rushing games.[43][44] He finished the 2022 season with 188 carries for 786 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns to go along with 13 receptions for 117 receiving yards in 15 games and nine starts.[45]

2023 season

Akers began the season as the Rams' starting running back in Week 1 at the Seahawks. He carried the ball 22 times for 29 yards and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter of Los Angeles's 30–13 season-opening win. For unspecified reasons, Akers was inactive before the Week 2 game against the 49ers, with Kyren Williams making the start at running back.[46]

Minnesota Vikings

On September 21, 2023, the Rams traded Akers and a conditional 2026 seventh-round draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick.[47][48][49] Akers was announced as inactive for Week 3.[50] In his Vikings debut against the Carolina Panthers, Akers rushed for 40 yards on five attempts as well as two catches for 11 yards. The Vikings would win, 21–13.[51] But, in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons, Akers suffered an injury to his left Achilles.[52] He was placed on the injured reserve list on November 8, 2023.[53]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDRecYdsAvgLngTDFumLost
2020LAR 1351456254.36121112311.238111
2021LAR 10530.6203103.36000
2022LAR 1591887864.2429131179.010022
2023LAR 1122291.3121—————00
MIN 60381383.619111706.430000
Career 36153981,5814.06113383208.438133

Postseason

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDRecYdsAvgLngTD
2020LAR 22462214.820235117.0440
2021LAR 43671722.61508769.5400
Career651133933.52021112711.5440

References

  1. ↑ Sammon, Will (August 17, 2016). "Cam Akers can leave mark as one of the all-time best". The Clarion-Ledger. Gannett. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Army Bowl Awards: Cam Akers wins Player of the Year on night of honors". USA Today. Gannett. January 6, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Cam Akers 2016 - 2017 MISSISSIPPI FOOTBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR". Gatorade. Archived from the original on January 31, 2017. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
  4. ↑ McGahee III, Wayne E. (January 7, 2017). "Florida State commit Cam Akers named U.S. Army Player of the Year". Tallahassee Democrat. Gannett. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  5. ↑ "Cam Akers, 2017 Running Back". Rivals.com. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Cam Akers, Florida State, Running Back". 247Sports.com. Archived from the original on January 8, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  7. ↑ Hamilton, Gerry (December 28, 2016). "No. 24 overall prospect Cam Akers commits to Florida State". ESPN. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  8. ↑ McGahee III, Wayne E. (December 27, 2016). "Florida State lands 5-star running back Cam Akers". Tallahassee Democrat. Gannett. Retrieved January 7, 2017.
  9. ↑ "ALABAMA vs FSU - Football - 9/2/2017 - Box Score". Atlantic Coast Conference. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Rosier rallies No. 13 Miami to 24-20 win over Florida State". ESPN. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  11. ↑ McCreary, Joedy. "Florida State beats Duke on Akers' late TD". Citizen Times. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  12. ↑ McGahee III, Wayne. "Florida State running back Cam Akers takes his place in history". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  13. ↑ "Florida State secures bowl-eligibility with rout of ULM". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  14. ↑ McGahee III, Wayne. "Florida State running back Cam Akers breaks freshman rushing record". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  15. ↑ "2017 All-ACC Football Teams Announced". Atlantic Coast Conference. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  16. ↑ "2018 All-ACC Preseason Football Team Announced". Atlantic Coast Conference. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  17. ↑ McGahee III, Wayne. "Final: FSU rallies to beat Boston College 22-21". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Cam Akers posts 3 TDs as FSU outlasts Louisiana-Monroe 45-44 in overtime". Fox Sports. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  19. ↑ McGahee III, Wayne. "Three takeaways from Florida State football's win over Louisville". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  20. ↑ Korosec, Courteney. "RB Cam Akers disappointed despite dominant personal performance against Wake Forest". SB Nation. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Akers' 4 TDs leads Florida State rout of Syracuse, 35-17". USA Today. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  22. ↑ Korosec, Courteney. "Florida State falls to the Florida Gators". SB Nation. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  23. ↑ Marchant, Jon (December 14, 2019). "Cam Akers to forego bowl game and enter NFL Draft". Tomahawk Nation. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  24. ↑ Visser, David. "FSU's Cam Akers continues climb up Seminole record book vs. Florida". SB Nation. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  25. ↑ "Clemson Leads 2019 All-ACC Football Team". Atlantic Coast Conference. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Cam Akers Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  27. ↑ "2020 Draft Scout Cam Akers, Florida State NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Cam Akers Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  29. ↑ Florio, Mike (April 24, 2020). "Rams take Florida State running back Cam Akers". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 24, 2020.
  30. ↑ Klopfer, Brady (November 24, 2020). "Rookies lead Rams to Monday night win over 43 year old Tom Brady". Turf Show Times. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  31. ↑ "Cam Akers' first career TD comes on catch out of the backfield". NFL.com. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  32. ↑ Jackson, Stu (December 10, 2020). "Game Recap: Cam Akers, defense power Rams to 24-3 win over Patriots on Thursday Night Football". www.therams.com. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Patriots vs. Rams - Game Recap - December 10, 2020 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 10, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  34. ↑ Gordon, Grant (December 16, 2020). "Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, Rams RB Cam Akers lead Players of the Week". NFL.com. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  35. ↑ "Wild Card - Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks - January 9th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Divisional Round - Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers - January 16th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  37. ↑ Jackson, Stu (July 20, 2021). "Cam Akers sustains torn Achilles". TheRams.com. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Rams designate Cam Akers for return from IR, 5 months after Achilles injury". The Athletic. December 23, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  39. ↑ "49ers vs. Rams - Box Score - January 9, 2022 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved January 10, 2022.
  40. ↑ Schwartz, Paul (February 13, 2021). "LA Rams defeat Cincinnati Bengals to win Super Bowl 2022". New York Post. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  41. ↑ Gordon, Grant (November 3, 2022). "Rams RB Cam Akers returns to practice, underscores he never asked for trade". NFL.com. Retrieved December 26, 2022.
  42. ↑ "Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Rams - December 25th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  43. ↑ "Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Chargers - January 1st, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  44. ↑ "Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks - January 8th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  45. ↑ "Cam Akers 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  46. ↑ Barshop, Sarah (September 17, 2023). "Rams' Cam Akers inactive as Kyren Williams made No. 1 RB". ESPN.
  47. ↑ "Rams agree to trade RB Cam Akers to Vikings". TheRams.com. September 20, 2023.
  48. ↑ "Vikings Announce Trade to Acquire Running Back Cam Akers from Rams". Vikings.com. September 20, 2023.
  49. ↑ "Vikings Place WR Jalen Nailor on IR; Finalize Trade for RB Cam Akers". Vikings.com. September 21, 2023.
  50. ↑ "Vikings' Cam Akers: Not Playing Week 3". CBS Sports. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  51. ↑ Nee, Chris. "NFL 'Noles Week 4 Results so far...: Akers plays for Vikings, ASJ ends the game with a pick, and more". Noles24/7. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  52. ↑ "Vikings RB Akers suffers injury to left Achilles". ESPN.com. November 5, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  53. ↑ "Former Gophers QB Tanner Morgan Returns to Vikings Practice Squad". Vikings.com. November 8, 2023.
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