Florida State football, recruiting news: Akers and Wilson named national award semifinalists

Football:

FSU will look to incorporate more of the WildCam offense moving forward according to Willie Taggart and Offensive Coordinator Kendal Briles.

While he is playing some quarterback, Akers is being recognized nationally as a running back making the semifinals for the Maxwell award, given to the best all around player at the year’s end. Marvin Wilson has made the semifinals for the Bednarik Award, recognizing the nation’s best defensive player:

Here is FSU Football’s release on the semifinalists:

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Junior running back Cam Akers is a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award, given to the Collegiate Player of the Year, while junior defensive tackle Marvin Wilson is a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award for the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year. Both awards are presented by the Maxwell Football Club.

Akers, from Clinton, Mississippi, ranks in the Top 10 nationally with 917 rushing yards, 114.6 rush yards per game, 15 total touchdowns and 12 rushing touchdowns. He currently ranks in Florida State’s Top 10 in career rushing yards with 2,647 and 25 career rushing touchdowns.

Akers has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Running Back of the Week three times this season, after scoring at least three touchdowns against ULM, Louisville and Syracuse. Against the Orange, Akers ran for 144 yards and four touchdowns, tying the school record. He also scored on a two-point conversion, becoming the first player in FSU history with four touchdowns and a successful two-point try in the same game. His 26 points against Syracuse are the most in a game for a Seminole in over 50 years and the fourth-most nationally in a game this season.

Akers is the only ACC player with three games of at least three touchdowns and has topped the 100-yard rushing mark five times in 2019.

Wilson, from Houston, Texas, leads all ACC defensive linemen with 41 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. He has added three pass breakups, a fumble recovery and forced a fumble in 2019.

Against Louisville, Wilson became the first Power 5 player since at least 2000 with 10 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and a fumble recovery in the same game. His 10 tackles against the Cardinals were the most for a Seminole defensive tackle since Timmy Jernigan had 10 in the 2013 ACC Championship Game.

Against Syracuse, Wilson added a pair of sacks and 3.0 tackles for loss. He is the only defensive tackle in the ACC with a pair of 3.0 tackle-for-loss games this season.

Both the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be presented on December 12 at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show.

Florida State (4-4) is back home Saturday to host Miami (4-4). The game will air nationally on ABC at 3:30 p.m.

In two weeks FSU will take on Boston College in their annual Red Bandana game. The installment will be the first Red Bandana game that won’t be at night, as it was announced for a noon kickoff. A 12 p.m. kick definitely favors the ’Noles and FSU fans won’t be complaining, but it’s understandable why BC fans would want to keep the game, honoring a 9/11 hero Welles Crowther, a night game .

FSU’s upcoming stretch of games are it’s most important. How will they finish the year? You voted in our poll and the vast majority of you are predicted a 7-5 or 6-6 finish for the ’Noles. Either way, the Seminoles will be bowling.

You also voted in this week’s FanPulse top 25 and there is a new no. 1 and fan confidence is up following FSU’s win over Syracuse.

Other Sports:

FSU Soccer will play host for the ACC Women’s Soccer Championship Quarterfinals this Sunday starting at 1pm:

Alumni:

The NFL trade deadline was quiet this year as most trades took place ahead of time, but unfortunately one transaction did take place with Nick O’Leary being released by the Dolphins on Tuesday. The former 6th round pick started his career in Buffalo before heading south and will now be on the lookout for a third team in need of his services: