STARKVILLE — It would be understandable if the days have been running together lately for East Mississippi Community College sophomore football player JaQuez Akins.
The Starkville native was back in his hometown for a celebration with friends and family Friday. Earlier this week, Akins signed a National Letter of Intent to play football at Tennessee-Martin.
“It has been a wild ride to say the least,” Akins said. “The last month or so may have been the most hectic month of my life. It’s been a challenge. The recruiting process is never easy. For (junior college players), it is even more compact. Even though it’s a challenge, it’s rewarding to see this day come.”
The 5-foot-10, 190-pound defensive back has been a mainstay on each of the last two National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) national championship squads in Scooba. In those two seasons, the Lions finished 23-1.
“Playing there has just been a life-changing experience,” Akins said. “We won a lot of championships, but we also grew together as a team. That is a special place. These brothers will be my friends for the rest of my life. Special thanks for the EMCC football family, the Starkville football family, and to Fast Training (training company) for helping make this opportunity happen.
“I have been dreaming about this day and a chance to sign to play college ball since I started playing at 6 years old. It’s good to see all the hard work pay off.”
This season, Akins had 45 tackles, four interceptions, and a fumble recovery as part of a defense that ranked first in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) for points allowed per game (11.2).
“Quez plays so much bigger than his size,” EMCC defensive coordinator Cliff Collins said. “He just has great instincts for the football. If you can combine passion with a strong work ethic and a nose for the game, then you can have a great player. This season, being a sophomore, he was more of a vocal leader on defense, too. Those traits will help him on the next level.”
Akins had four interceptions in his senior season at Starkville. As a junior, he played an integral role on the defense of a Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A State championship squad.
“Really have been blessed to be in this situation,” Akins said. “The coaches have really helped guide me at two very good programs. Starkville has a rich tradition, while EMCC has been the best program in the nation for quite some time. Being able to play a big role at both places has meant a lot to me, helping me grow as a person and as a player.”
The junior college recruiting calendar calls for one official visit. In the past month, Akins had to complete coursework to be a December graduate, while gauging the interest of schools. EMCC also played through the Thanksgiving holiday to win the latest title.
“That’s the biggest challenge,” Akins said. “You get one visit, so you really can’t miss. You have to be sure of what you are doing. When I visited there, I fell in love with the place. They have some great coaches and they play the type of defense I like. This will be a great opportunity for me to showcase my skill while hopefully getting ready to play on the next level.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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