JACKSON — With some pomp, circumstance and a tomahawk chop, Cam Akers made his college decision Tuesday night.

The five-star quarterback who led Clinton to the Class 6A football championship this season committed to Florida State in a ceremony at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Jackson.

The ceremony was broadcast over the internet and breathlessly viewed by fans of the half-dozen schools Akers had said were in the running for his services — Florida State, Ole Miss, LSU, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.

“It was just the best situation for me and my family all around,” Akers said after his selection. “I never wanted to go too far away from home. (Tallahassee, Fla.) is not that far. It’s a great situation for me. I just fit the program well.”

Akers said he made his decision over Christmas weekend. He had originally committed to Alabama in 2015, but de-committed before his senior season.

All verbal commitments are non-binding. Signing day is Feb. 1.

Akers led Clinton to a 14-1 record and the school’s first state championship in 2016, defeating Pearl 49-35 in the MHSAA Class 6A championship game at Mississippi State’s Davis-Wade Stadium in Starkville. Akers accounted for all seven Clinton touchdowns and was the championship game MVP.

Akers was recruited and viewed as the nation’s top running back recruit. He threw for 31 touchdowns and 3,128 yards this season while also rushing for 2,105 yards and 31 touchdowns on 242 carries.
The four-year starter threw for 8,140 yards and 78 touchdowns in his high school career. He ran for 5,103 yards and 67 touchdowns.

Akers won the Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year award as the top high school player in Mississippi in 2016.

He will play running back in college. With Florida State likely losing its top back Dalvin Cook to the NFL, Akers said a chance to slide into that spot with the Seminoles swayed his decision.

Cook is a junior, but is likely to declare for the NFL draft. He has rushed for 1,686 yards and 18 touchdowns heading into the Seminoles’ Orange Bowl matchup with Michigan on Friday night.

“It definitely impacted it a lot,” Akers said. “I’m looking forward to starting my career there. … You can’t make any promises, it’s all up to me. I know Dalvin is leaving and the starting spot will be up for grabs in my eyes. I’m going to go there and try to get it.”

Akers’ choice was a big blow to Ole Miss’ recruiting class, which is currently ranked near 50th in the country — and fifth or sixth in the Southeastern Conference — by many recruiting services.
Akers was viewed by many recruiting sites as a high probability to land at Ole Miss, bulking up the Rebel offense that includes sophomore quarterback Shea Patterson and receivers A.J. Brown, Van Jefferson and D.K. Metcalf.

Currently, the Rebels’ top returning running backs are Eric Sweeney and Jordan Wilkins. Sweeney suffered a season-ending injury against Florida State in September. Wilkins, a junior, redshirted this season.

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Oxford Eagle sports writer Jake Thompson contributed to this report.