'05 MD OL Joe Akers (UConn signee)

[Buckeye Dan]

http://ohiostate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=305924

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Using a cell phone borrowed from a worker at a roadside restuarant Saturday night, Akers contacted University of Connecticut coach Randy Etzel to tell him he wants to be a Husky.

Akers intends to graduate from Hereford in December and report to college in January.

Akers made the decision to commit to UConn about three hours after leaving campus, on his way to a scheduled Sunday appearance at Penn State. He discussed the UConn offer in the car with his father before they pulled over to have dinner and find a phone.

[CleveBucks]

Use of a borrowed cell phone... where's the NY Times and the NCAA?

[LordJeffBuck]

Good luck to Joe - he should have some success at UConn, an up-and-coming smaller program.

[hajpajknight]

I am working in connecticut for the summer, joe, connecticut is wierd, prepare yourself. good luck, but its wierd, prepare yourself.

[BB73]

Sadly, Joe Akers' college career has ended before he could play a game. Let's hope he gets a good education at UConn, who are doing the right thing by retaining his scholarship.

courant.com


Neck Injury Ends Freshman's Career

August 16, 2005
By TERRY PRICE, Courant Staff Writer

STORRS -- The promising career of UConn freshman center Joe Akers is over because of a neck injury.

Akers, in consultation with the school's medical staff, has decided to leave football because of a condition that has caused reduced spinal fluid between his fourth and sixth vertebrae.

The condition was discovered through an MRI after Akers injured his neck in a collision with another player in practice last Tuesday. It was not detected when Akers injured the same spinal area Dec. 4 in a Maryland high school championship game.

Akers returned home to Hereford, Md., where he made the decision with his family.

"I might not get badly injured if I went back out there," Akers said, "but there was no guarantee that I wouldn't."

Akers said he was told by doctors he may have been born with the problem.

Akers' family said he will not lose his scholarship, and he is expected to continue his education at UConn.

Akers, 6 feet 1, 296 pounds, was a three-time Maryland All-State selection. Because of early graduation, he enrolled at UConn in January and received medical clearance to participate in spring practice.

He played with the first team offense for much of the spring, but redshirt freshman Trey Tonsing ended the monthlong practice period as starting center.

Coach Randy Edsall, while explaining Akers' absence Monday, strongly suggested Akers would not return to football. He said he wanted to let Akers make a decision before UConn made any announcement. Edsall could not be reached Monday night.

Akers was expected to contend for a starting position, and his absence leaves the Huskies thin at center.

Former defensive lineman Keith Gray has switched to center and worked with the second team Monday. Freshman Alex LeMagdelaine would have been next in line, but he was shifted to guard after Brian Kersmanc experienced hamstring tightness. UConn would like to redshirt LeMagdelaine this season.

Edsall said Gray (6-2, 271) has the strength and size to make a good center.

"He's smart," Edsall said. "He can adapt, and we'll keep working with him."