RB Akers drafted by Los Angeles Rams in second round

Former Florida State running back Cam Akers was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round with the 52nd overall pick of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Akers’ selection on the second day of the draft marks the 37th straight year a Seminole has been drafted, a streak that dates back to 1984 and is the ninth-longest active streak in the country entering this year’s draft. Akers is the 197th Florida State player drafted in that time frame and 288th in program history.

“Just a blessing to be in this position and a blessing to be a part of such a great organization,” Akers said after being drafted. “As far as filling (former Rams RB) Todd Gurley’s shoes, (I’m) just going to come in and play wherever the team needs me to be, whatever they need me to do, that’s what I’ll do.”

While at FSU, Cam Akers became the third Seminole with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons, joining Warrick Dunn and Dalvin Cook.
Photo courtesy FSU athletics

The Seminoles have had five running backs drafted since 2013 and all of them have been selected in the first five rounds. Only Alabama, with six, has more running backs drafted in the first five rounds since 2013.

Going to the Rams isn’t a totally new experience for Akers. Prior to the draft, he became familiar with the Rams during a few meetings throughout the draft process – from a distance.

“Well I wouldn’t say met, I facetimed the Rams a few times throughout this process,” he said. “We had a few good talks, a lot of good talks. Before they’re calling on the TV, I knew the Rams had called me and told me, of course. I was still excited, just as excited as I would be if I didn’t know. Just truly a blessing.”

While Akers didn’t have much interaction with head coach Sean McVay, he is confident he could fit into McVay’s offense.

“He explained that he feels like I can fit into the offense well,” Akers said. “I can be a big piece in the offense. So, hopefully I can be.

“I’m looking forward to everything, in any way that I can, whether it’s blocking, running, catching, special teams, whatever I need to do. I got my big-boy pants on and I’m ready to do it.”

Akers is the third Seminole with multiple 1,000-yard rushing seasons, joining Warrick Dunn and Dalvin Cook. He broke Cook’s FSU freshman rushing record with 1,024 yards in 2017 and rushed for 1,144 yards in 2019. Akers’ career average of 958.0 rushing yards per season is the third-highest average in program history.

He hopes he brings that and more to the Rams.

 “I think I bring a three-down, a four-down back if necessary,” he said. “I’m somebody who can come in and be a game changer. Be everything this team and the fans need me to be and everything they’re expecting me to be.”

Akers ended his career as a Seminole ranks sixth all-time at FSU with 2,874 career rushing yards and 11 career 100-yard rushing games. His 206 points scored ranks sixth among non-kickers, his 34 touchdowns places him in a tie for sixth and his 27 rushing touchdowns are seventh on the program’s all-time list.

In his final season in Tallahassee, Akers accounted for 1,369 all-purpose yards, 18 total touchdowns and 110 points scored and was 4-of-6 passing for 50 yards on his way to earning second-team All-ACC acclaim. He was one of seven players nationally with at least three touchdowns in three different games during the regular season, and his average of 10.0 points per game led the ACC and ranked sixth in the NCAA. His 14 rushing touchdowns and 104.0 rushing yards per game were fourth in the conference, and his average of 124.5 all-purpose yards per game ranked fifth.

Akers is the only player in FSU history with at least four touchdowns scored and a two-point conversion in the same game, which he accomplished in the Seminoles’ 35-17 win against Syracuse. His four rushing touchdowns tied the school record, and his 26 points scored ranked as the second-highest total in program history, the most since 1968, and tied for the seventh-highest total in FBS in 2019.

Even with as much as he has accomplished with the Seminoles, Akers believes the sky is the limit as he strive to improve his game even more.

“Everything,” he said. “I don’t feel like any aspect of my game I’m where I need to be. I would say a broad statement and say everything.”