Uconn's Joe Akers Football Career Over

dw4uconn · August 16, 2005

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Neck Injury Ends Freshman's Career

August 16, 2005

By TERRY PRICE, Courant Staff Writer STORRS -- The promising career of UConn freshman center Joe Akers is over because of a neck injury.

Akers, in consultation with the school's medical staff, has decided to leave football because of a condition that has caused reduced spinal fluid between his fourth and sixth vertebrae.

The condition was discovered through an MRI after Akers injured his neck in a collision with another player in practice last Tuesday. It was not detected when Akers injured the same spinal area Dec. 4 in a Maryland high school championship game.

Akers returned home to Hereford, Md., where he made the decision with his family.

"I might not get badly injured if I went back out there," Akers said, "but there was no guarantee that I wouldn't."

Akers said he was told by doctors he may have been born with the problem.

Akers' family said he will not lose his scholarship, and he is expected to continue his education at UConn.

Akers, 6 feet 1, 296 pounds, was a three-time Maryland All-State selection. Because of early graduation, he enrolled at UConn in January and received medical clearance to participate in spring practice.

He played with the first team offense for much of the spring, but redshirt freshman Trey Tonsing ended the monthlong practice period as starting center.

Coach Randy Edsall, while explaining Akers' absence Monday, strongly suggested Akers would not return to football. He said he wanted to let Akers make a decision before UConn made any announcement. Edsall could not be reached Monday night.

Akers was expected to contend for a starting position, and his absence leaves the Huskies thin at center.

Former defensive lineman Keith Gray has switched to center and worked with the second team Monday. Freshman Alex LeMagdelaine would have been next in line, but he was shifted to guard after Brian Kersmanc experienced hamstring tightness. UConn would like to redshirt LeMagdelaine this season.

Edsall said Gray (6-2, 271) has the strength and size to make a good center.

"He's smart," Edsall said. "He can adapt, and we'll keep working with him."

Two At Camp Rell

Cornerback Tyvon Branch and strong safety Marvin Taylor were also missing from practice. They were at Camp Rell in Niantic, performing court-ordered community service for their involvement in a pellet gun shooting in May.

Branch and Taylor will not rejoin the team until Friday, Edsall said. They are staying overnight at the camp, working as counselors for troubled children.

Edsall said the players would lose ground while missing four days of practice and would have to earn back their spots.

"We felt this situation would be very good because they're going to lose something that is important to them in terms of football," he said. "I also want them to maybe make a difference in the lives of the people they're working with and teach them something about the mistake they made."

The charge against Taylor and Branch - possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle - will be dropped provided they have no further problems with the law and complete their community service. Taylor must perform 100 hours, Branch 50.

Branch had been working with the second-team defense. Taylor had been on the third team.

Deleston Moves Up

Redshirt freshman Dahna Deleston of East Hartford has moved ahead of Allan Barnes at strong safety and sophomore defensive end Dan Davis has jumped ahead of Jason Ward at defensive end. ... Freshman cornerback Jimmy McClam worked as the nickel back with the first defense. ... Edsall on punter Shane Hussar: "He has without a doubt outdistanced himself from Chris Pavasaris."