Elijah Akines brings versatile, disruptive DB production to LIU
Akines is a compact, active defensive back whose value shows up in disruption: in 2024 at Clarke, he played eight games with 17 tackles, 1 sack, and a fumble recovery, and his own season notes highlighted 11 pass breakups, 17 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 fumble recoveries, suggesting a ball-aware, turnover-creating defender rather than just a coverage body. [1][9] He also appears to bring positional versatility and speed-based upside from his multi-event athletic background, which can matter for nickel, special teams, and matchup-specific roles. [15][17] If you want a competitive, high-energy DB who can make plays around the ball, he’s a worthwhile fit; if you need a bigger press corner, his listed 5'9", 162-pound frame is a constraint. [2][3]
