SCOOBA — Football is moving fast these days for former Starkville High School standout Jaquez Akins.
“You go from being the new guy to being a leader to being gone in what seems like a matter of months,” Akins said. “This is not like high school where you feel like you will play forever.”
Akins was blessed last season with an opportunity to draw several starts for National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national champion East Mississippi Community College football team.
Now, he has gone from a freshman trying to figure out the junior college game to a sophomore leader on pace to graduate in December.
Members of the EMCC football team met the media Monday at the school’s annual Media Day at Sullivan-Windham Field. EMCC will open the season Aug. 30 when Hinds C.C. comes to Scooba for a 7 p.m. start.
“That first year, you want to fit in,” Akins said. “Then in January, you start thinking about playing senior college ball. The coaches are going to help you work that process out. Individually, it’s up to you to do everything right to put yourself in that best position possible to rack up some offers.”
When Cliff Collins returned to the EMCC coaching staff as the defensive coordinator last season, he said he wanted to get the EMCC defense back to playing like it did during national title runs in 2013 and 2014.
“We are almost there,” Collins said. “(The 2017 season) was a major step in the right direction. You need players like (Akins). He will not intimidate you with his size. However, he has that nasty streak you have to have to be successful on this level.”
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound Akins appeared in all 12 games as a defensive back a season ago and had 26 tackles. He also forced two fumbles. His knack for “always being around the ball” is something EMCC coach Buddy Stephens admires.
“You need the kids from programs like Starkville if you are going to be successful,” Stephens said. “In high school, these kids have played in the biggest games. You want to fill your locker room with players used to winning.”
The process feels like a whirlwind to Akins. In his junior year at Starkville High (2015), the Yellow Jackets won a Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State championship. He had four interceptions as a senior as part of a 7-4 team.
Akins’ time with the Lions began in summer school in 2017. Now, he is on pace to pick a senior college and to graduate in December.
“That’s the strangest thing about this game,” Akins said. “That first year, you are learning how to live away from home. You are making new friends, new teammates. You are trying to learn a lot to get on the field. A year later, you are the leader. All the young guys are asking you the questions. I have learned so much about myself as a person and as a player. You grow up fast.”
Akins said his biggest point of emphasis during the summer was spending time in the weight room. His upper body shows tremendous growth, making him much mightier than his 5-10 frame might sound.
“One thing for sure, you aren’t going to push (Akins) around,” Stephens said.
Former Starkville High standouts Jakoby Jones and Connor Reinike, who are sophomores, and De’Angelo Tabb and Jordan Thompson, who are freshmen, are listed on EMCC’s preseason roster.
“We have some talented newcomers who can make an impact right away on defense,” Akins said. “My only advice to them is to make the most out of every day. Your time here will fly by, so make the most you can of this opportunity.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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