a compact, versatile NIU back with legit burst and proven playmaking
In the 2014 season, Akeem Daniels gave Northern Illinois a do-it-all backfield threat, combining 447 rushing yards, 259 receiving yards, and 11 total touchdowns while earning praise for leadership, speed, and shiftiness. He is more than a box-score runner: NIU coaches described him as the kind of player who can do anything with the ball in his hands, and his 5-foot-7 frame came with rare explosiveness, including a 40.5-inch vertical and 10-foot-6 broad jump. He also battled back from a foot injury that cost him the previous season, so the fit profile is clear: quick, versatile, and high-energy, with some durability questions.
