Versatile Akins tries to have bases covered
Former minor leaguer lines up as tight end, fullback, receiver and more
Growing up in Georgia, Texans tight end Jordan Akins tailored his game through his versatility.
A future Texas Rangers minor league baseball player, Akins had an example in his household. He watched his older brother, Jonathan Akins, an all-state hurdler and running back at Alabama State, operate as a star tailback.
It was excellent advanced training for Akins’ diverse role with the Texans. In the NFL, he lines up everywhere from a traditional in-line tight end to fullback, H-back, slot receiver and outside receiver.
Akins started out as a running back in high school before moving to tight end and quarterback. He also played linebacker, safety and cornerback at Union Grove High School in McDonough, Ga.
“I really studied my brother growing up,” Akins said. “My brother was one of the best running backs I had ever seen in my life. I always try to mimic everything.
“It really taught me vision. It taught me all the lanes, how to read the lanes and how to read the field, how to read some of the linebackers coming downhill. I think it’s a big advantage for me. I kind of get ahead of the game.”
Heading into his second NFL season, Akins’ game is continually evolving.
Drafted in the third round last season as the highest selected tight end ever from Central Florida, the 6-4, 250-pound 27year-old caught 17 passes for 225 yards on 25 targets. He played in every game but didn’t catch a touchdown.
The Texans envision a multidimensional role for Akins.
“He’s a valuable guy,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “He does a lot of different things. He’s a good route runner. He’s getting better as a blocker. He does a good job.”
Akins enjoys operating out of a two-point stance, creating mismatches because of his superior speed.
He’s a difficult matchup for slower linebackers and smaller defensive backs.
“I love it,” Akins said of playing wide receiver. “It brings back memories from my high school and college days. It’s definitely a mismatch. If I can stack them, I can use my speed and my size.”
The Texans became familiar with Akins’ skills and personality when they coached him at the Senior Bowl All-Star game last year, gaining knowledge about him as a prospect .
After toiling for four years in the minor leagues with a .218 career batting average and never rising above high-A ball, Akins enrolled at Central Florida. He started out as a receiver before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.
Once he became established as a full-time tight end, Akins caught 32 passes for 515 yards and four touchdowns in his final college season.
Akins has worked diligently to upgrade his blocking and improve his strength. A year ago, Akins learned a lot from former Texans running back Alfred Blue about how to position his body to create leverage as a lead blocker.
“I’m a lot more comfortable as a fullback,” Akins said. “I worked on my power and my speed. Just knowing my assignments and how to line up at multiple positions, it gives me the advantage to play fast.”
Akins is durable and tough. He hasn’t missed a day of training camp and caught a touchdown pass Tuesday.
“I really had a solid camp; it betters me as a person,” Akins said. “The more repetition I can get, the better I get, just like baseball.”