Memphis LB Akins brings out his best vs. Navy
Ask Curtis Akins if he thinks he's a better leader this season and the Memphis senior linebacker will tell you nothing changed in his approach.
"I feel like I’ve been doing just about the same as last year," Akins said.
As one of a handful of seniors on defense, Akins feels like he's just doing what's expected of him. During a defensive series in preseason camp last month, he yelled out corrections to his teammates as they returned to the sideline and immediately they listened as if he was a coach.
It wasn't a surprise to defensive coordinator Chris Ball, but it showed why Akins is well respected on the team.
“He’s always been the vocal guy since we’ve been here,” Ball said.
Whether by voice or attitude, Akins is the heartbeat of the Memphis defense. Against Navy on Saturday, Memphis will look again to the senior to help slow down the Midshipmen's triple-option offense.
The last two years, Akins has always brought his best against Navy. Two seasons ago, he had a careerhigh 16 tackles. Last year, he had 11 tackles and recovered a fumble in the fourth quarter to set up a field goal.
Ball said Akins’ success against Navy reflects the type of player he is and the style needed to combat Navy’s triple-option offense.
“He’s really physical and that’s what it takes,” Ball said.
Akins' leadership also comes from his accountability. He's not afraid to demand more of his teammates because it was what he learned during his freshman year.
When he arrived in 2014, he found
a role model in linebacker Charles Harris, then a senior captain. Akins said he was immediately drawn to how Harris carried himself on the field and in workouts.
Harris, along with Alan Cross, took time after practice for extra sprints. Akins got curious and began observing the duo before he joined in as well.
“It was just a way that we all continued to hold each other accountable for everything,” Harris recalled. “Curtis saw from that small interaction what it took to be a good teammate.”
Harris and Akins only spent one season together as teammates, but Akins learned well. Even now, he said his attitude comes from what he saw and learned from Harris.
Junior linebacker Austin Hall said he noticed Akins’ passion for the game has grown every season since he arrived and it helps motivate everyone around him.
“On the field, he sets the tone every day at practice and on game day,” Hall said, “He pushes me to be better every day so I thank him for that.”
On Saturday, Akins will be ready to help lead once again. Not just because Memphis wants to beat Navy for a second consecutive year, but because he wants his teammates to keep seeing the standard that was passed down to him.
"We got a whole lot of young guys and I just got to keep their heads on straight and leading them forward," Akins said.