Report: 5-star running back Cam Akers to choose between Vols and Noles

Cam Akers
247Sports

Top Tennessee running back target Cam Akers (★★★★★) from Clinton, Mississippi [player thread: ’17 MS RB Cam Akers] will announce his commitment on December 27th at 7 p.m CT, according to a Twitter post last night. An internet stream of the event from his high school will be available.


As might be expected for one of the nation’s top players, speculation has been rampant on where Akers will end up — even deciphering which teams are the true contenders has been a difficult task. Jamie Newberg of 247Sports says it’s a battle between FSU, LSU and Ole Miss for Akers, with Tennessee, Ohio State and Georgia on the outside looking in.

Brent Hubbs of Rivals.com, on the other hand, said on 104.5’s Wake Up Zone this morning that he belives it’s a Tennessee/FSU battle for Akers.

Cam Akers, the five-star running back who’s got it down, in my opinion, to Tennessee and Florida State at this point. He will make a decision right after Christmas as well, probably the 27th or so. Maybe the 28th is when he’s going to do it. He’s a mid-term enrollee that Robert Gilespie has invested a lot of his life in the last couple years, trying to recruit him. Again, I think that’s going to be a Tennessee/Florida State battle. Florida State obviously is using concerns about Butch Jones on the hot seat against Tennessee and noting that Jimbo Fisher has a new contract with a $45 million buyout. Fisher doesn’t seem to be poised to go anywhere anytime soon out of Tallahassee, so they’re certainly marketing stability and being the next Dalvin Cook to Cam Akers, and that’s what Tennessee is trying to combat right now.

Akers measures at 5-11, 213 pounds. He’s listed as the No. 1 running back in the country and the No. 4 overall player in the nation, according to 247Sports.

Forum discussion: ’17 MS RB Cam Akers

Freak

19 responses to “Report: 5-star running back Cam Akers to choose between Vols and Noles”

  1. Well, this makes it sound like there’s a chance. I certainly prefer Hubbs comments over Newbergs!

    GO VOLS!!!

    • Hubbs seems to be one of the few who thinks Tennessee has a chance here. I guess we’ll find out soon. Would be a huge get for the Vols if Butch could somehow pull this one off.

      Thanks for the comment.

  2. Should be be worried about losing Ty Chandler if Cam Akers commits ? Or we can lock in both ?

    • We will have 3 returning Rbs.
      Everyone else has more.
      Akers knows he’ll be in the rotation in Y1.

    • I don’t think so. From what I’ve read Ty is solid to TN. Great young man from an awesome family and Ty will excel at TN with or without Cam. Both Ty and Cam would very likely see a lot of playing time next year. The only proven back in front of them is John Kelly which is certainly NOT the case at FSU. Cam committing to UT would be the biggest surprise this year to me but either way.

      GO VOLS!!!

      • I still think it’s a longshot to land Akers, but I’m not giving up hope.

        Thanks for the comment JPL.

    • Wouldn’t it be great if Tennessee landed Chandler and Akers? As think as Tennessee is at RB depth, I think there’s plenty to go around.

      Thanks for the comment, volmandu.

  3. Maybe Butch can pull off another stunner like he did with Richmond. Akers and Chandler could be the best RB duo in all of CFB in a few years

    • Maybe, but pulling a Tennessee kid and a Mississippi kid are different animals, as you know. Wonder who was the last big-time recruit the Vols landed from Mississippi?

      Thanks for the comment, dduncan.

    • It took me a second, but I think you mean Brian Darden. Great call though. I had completely forgotten he was from Mississippi. At the time, he was thought to be one of the best running backs to ever come out of that state.

      Thanks for the comment, sccshortstop.

  5. Man I hope Hubbs is right – I’d love to see Akers & Chandler in our backfield for the next few years. Maybe FSU’s negative recruiting will push him our way..

    • Akers would be a huge boost to this class. Seems like a longshot, although Butch has proven you should never count him out.

      Thanks for the comment Gatorhater.

  6. Jamal Lewis and Travis Stephens and Travis Henry type backfield comes to mind. Those guys were very fun to watch!
    Kamara and Kelly aren’t too bad themselves! And I appreciate Mr. Hurd as well.
    Surely good days to come for Tn football if we are patient enough! The only trouble with patience is that I want it, and I want it now!!!

  7. Freak,

    I didn’t see it posted on here but in addition to Chandler the Vols have 3 Star RB Trey Coleman from Louisiana committed in this class. If they could get Akers that would be 3 RB commits for the 2017 class. Chandler, Akers, and Coleman could be the best RB class ever at UT if the Vols can sign all three of them.