Cam Akers stood out from the rest of the New Orleans Saints’ running backs at Tuesday’s mandatory minicamp.
Unlike everybody else, Akers’ name wasn’t on the back of his jersey.
All his jersey had on the back was the number 38.
But Akers doesn’t care about that.
He's just glad to be getting this opportunity to stand out with his play and earn a spot on the team located less than three hours from his hometown of Clinton, Mississippi.
“I’m still hungry and I’m young,” Akers said. “I’ve got a lot of tread on my tires, and I want to rewrite my story personally.”
Akers, who turns 26 in two weeks, is entering his sixth NFL season and is now looking to make what would be his fourth different team. He was elated when he got the phone call last from his agent saying the Saints wanted him to come to minicamp.
“I’m blessed to be able to have this opportunity,” Akers said. “I’ve been through a lot in my career. I can’t let it affect these type opportunities. So I’m coming out and having my head on right and attacking these opportunities.”
Akers has seen the highs and lows on his football journey.
Eight years ago, he was ranked the top high school running back in the country in a recruiting class that included guys like future NFLers Najee Harris and Chuba Hubbard.
His stellar playing days at Clinton High School had many people putting him in the conversation with Marcus Dupree, considered the greatest high school football player to ever come from Mississippi.
In Akers’ senior season when he lined up at quarterback, he rushed for 2,105 yards (34 touchdowns) and threw for 3,128 yards (31 touchdowns).
After three seasons at Florida State, he was selected in the second round by the Los Angeles Rams.
His rookie season included an NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor and a trip to the playoffs.
Those were the highs.
Then came his first low.
He tore his Achilles' tendon right before training camp of his second season in 2021. Akers returned to action in five months and made it back in time to play in the Super Bowl victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Two seasons later, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings. He tore his other Achilles in Week 9 of the 2023 season. He signed with the Houston Texans last summer but was traded back to the Vikings in October.
Now he’s looking to land yet another home, not too far from where he was born and raised.
“My family is right down the road, good food, Southern hospitality,” Akers said. “So it’s a home away from home.”
Akers counted on three things through the tough times.
"Family, prayer and work," he said. "You're going to have ups and downs, good days and bad days. But that’s a part of it. I have a strong support system. I believe in God. I pray, and I have people praying for me."
Getting the phone call from the Saints felt like an answered prayer.
“Cam is an experienced player,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said. “He’s done a lot throughout this league. As you go through this, you’re always trying to evaluate as many players as you possibly can. So we felt like it was a great opportunity, and we are fired up that he was wanting to come out here.”
Akers has rushed for 2,025 yards in 53 career games.
But he said he’s not limited to just running the ball.
“Special teams, whatever they want me to do,” Akers said. “Even defense if I have to.”
Heck, he’d even be willing to throw a pass or two like he did in high school if it helps him squeeze into a crowded running back room. The Saints currently have six other running backs on the roster (Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Velus Jones, Xazavian Valladay and Marcus Yarns).
“I like the atmosphere here,” Akers said. “The players and I can come in and compete. I can learn from AK. Everything is on me. The opportunity is there, but it’s on me to come in and attack. … That’s pretty much all I can do. So that’s what I’m doing and hopefully we can get something rolling.”