Jordan Akins

Tight End – Senior

Central Florida

Alex Khvatov:  Describe your experience at the 2018 Senior Bowl.

Jordan Akins:  It’s been great.  Being able to come out, mingle and compete with some of the best athletes in the world.  It’s been a blessing.  I was so underrated.  I am glad that I got an invite.

Alex Khvatov:  Tell us about this undefeated season for the UCF program this year.

Jordan Akins:  It started in the spring.  We pulled together.  We united as a team off the field.  Everyone bought into the process.  We called a lot of player meetings without the coaches being there.  We wanted to get everybody’s point of view.  We bought into the weight room, football and school.  We executed.  We trusted everyone from first string to third string.  The rotations kept everyone fresh.  Because of the hurricane, we didn’t have any bye weeks.  We had to play for 11 weeks straight.  We kept it rolling.  Coach Frost is a great leader.  He prepped us the right way for every game.  The game plans were awesome.  He allowed us to make plays.  Everyone just made the plays.  We were united as one.  We went undefeated.  We feel like we can compete with anyone.  We look at ourselves as the National Champions.  Obviously we can’t control who gets into the playoff.

Alex Khvatov:  How did you wind up at Central Florida?

Jordan Akins:  I got drafted out of high school for baseball.  I went in the third round to the Texas Rangers.  I spent three years in their organization.  I didn’t progress in baseball like I would have hoped.  Russell Wilson came to our spring training and talked to the team.  I was really missing football.  It was a gut feeling.

Alex Khvatov:  What are your strengths on the field?

Jordan Akins:  Making plays in the passing game.  I get yards after the catch when I have the ball in my hands.  I can take a hit and I deliver hits.  I make plays as far as blocking and through the air.

Alex Khvatov:  What areas of your game are you trying to improve upon?

Jordan Akins:  My blocking.  Hand placement and footwork.  Learning more about fronts and how the defensive line operates.  Learning the schemes.  I was a WR in my previous years in college.  I am fairly new to the TE position.  I am a student of the game and I am willing to learn.

Alex Khvatov:  What was it like making the switch from WR to TE?

Jordan Akins:  It really wasn’t that hard.  I just had to get the blocking down.  I struggled with the blocking in 2016 because I didn’t know the techniques.  In 2017, I had better knowledge and I improved.  I was comfortable with my hand in the dirt.

Alex Khvatov:  Who was the toughest player that you have played against?

Jordan Akins:  Jabrill Peppers.

Alex Khvatov:  Finish the sentence, Jordan Akins is….

Jordan Akins:  A competitor.