Insider Report: Akers shows 'natural' return skills; several alumni visit

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It’s no secret that Jimbo Fisher hasn’t been pleased with Florida State’s return game the past few seasons.

In 2016, the Seminoles ranked 77th nationally in punt returns with a 7.41-yard average; that mark ranked ahead of only Wake Forest in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings. Surprisingly enough, that number was actually much better than one year earlier when the Seminoles ranked 115th out of 128 schools with an average of 3.74 yards per return.

Florida State has only returned one punt for a touchdown in the last four seasons combined.

The Seminoles have been more respectable in kickoff returns, but still not spectacular. They ranked 36th nationally in that category last season and seventh in the ACC.

If this spring is any indication, Fisher is intent on infusing those return units with some of his most talented players. This week, he has been using five-star running back recruit Cam Akers and All-America safety Derwin James as two of his top returners.

“I want the ball in my hands a little bit,” James said with a smile. “It feels normal. It feels like I never lost a step (since returning kicks in high school).”

James was seen working with the return teams during the first week of spring drills earlier this month. Then once the Seminoles returned from spring break this week, Akers has been getting reps there as well.

Akers, a January enrollee who was rated the nation’s top running back by Rivals, already has drawn rave reviews from teammates for his work in the offensive backfield. It hasn’t taken him long to start turning heads in the return game.