Blount not relying on father’s legacy
Akil Blount, a Taylorstown native and the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Mel Blount, led Florida A&M in tackles in his junior and senior seasons. Blount was a standout basketball player at The Linsly School but opted to play college football.
A strong showing at his Pro Day gives Akil Blount, left, optimism his name will be called at some point during the NFL Draft, which runs April 28-30.
Akil Blount
The way Akil Blount had things figured, he would be prepping for the NBA draft now after completing a solid collegiate basketball career.
But fate had other plans for the Taylorstown native, who was a 6-3, 195-pound guard-forward with a silky smooth release on his jumper.
With his options limited in basketball after a very good career at The Linsly School in Wheeling, W.Va., Blount turned to his other passion, football.
“Coming out of high school at Linsly, I thought my future would be in basketball,” said Blount, who averaged 24 points per game in his senior season at Linsly. “I had a great senior year. We went undefeated, and I was the player of the year. But the offers just weren’t there. Florida A&M had offered me for football and so I took that offer.”
The move turned out to be a good one for the eldest of Mel and TiAnda Blount’s sons. Yes, that Mel Blount.
Akil Blount always wanted to make his own path in the world and didn’t want to rely on his father’s legacy – a Hall of Fame cornerback with the Steelers who won four Super Bowls and played in five Pro Bowls from 1970-1983.
After spending his freshman season working hard in the weight room, Blount became a starter in his sophomore season under then-head coach Earl Holmes, who like Blount’s father, is a former Steelers’ star.
Blount led the Rattlers in tackles in each of his final two seasons and added three interceptions and 14.5 tackles for a loss. He returned both of his interceptions for touchdowns last season, showing good ball skills and the ability to make opponents miss.
It could add up to Blount hearing his name called when the NFL holds its three-day, seven-round draft next week. The draft begins April 28 and wraps up April 30.
Blount was considered a late-round or free agent NFL prospect early in the draft process, but his pro day opened some eyes to his athleticism. He ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.6-second range, recorded 30 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press and also worked out at both linebacker and defensive backs drills.
“I had a great pro day,” said Blount. “I talked to some teams when I played in the NFLPA Bowl (in January), and talked to a few after my pro day. I’m happy where I’m at right now with everything.”
Like his father, Blount excelled on the defensive side of the ball. But unlike his dad, his future wasn’t in the secondary. After recording an astounding 30 sacks in his senior year at Linsly, Blount was a gangly 195-pound prospect.
But his hard work in the weight room paid off. He eventually was named winner of the “Iron Rattlers Award” for being pound-for-pound the best conditioned athlete at Florida A&M as he increased his weight to 240 pounds. He improved his vertical jump to 37 inches. His bench press maxed out at more than 400 pounds.
The hard work, however, wasn’t what made him stand out to Holmes, who had a 10-year career in the NFL as an inside linebacker. Holmes, who was the Rattlers’ defensive coordinator when Blount arrived on campus before taking over the head coaching duties, was more impressed with other attributes.
“What makes him special is the kid is smart,” Holmes told the Tallahassee Democrat. “He is quiet until he puts the shoulder pads on. He’s a leader and he’s the type of player you want.”
And he’s not big on broadcasting the fact he has a famous father.
“Regardless of what he did, I can’t live off of that,” Blount said. “I’ve always embraced what my dad has done, but at the same time, I’ve got to make my own way.”
It was one of the reasons why he didn’t follow in his father’s footsteps and go to his dad’s alma mater, Southern University.
That would have been an easy transition, but Blount chose a different path.
He did that quite well and it could lead to him following in his father’s footsteps, even if that wasn’t always the plan.
Blount already acquired his degree in business and if football doesn’t work out, he’s got a solid foundation to fall back on.
The former team captain for the Rattlers just wants an opportunity to play in the NFL.
“I just would be thankful for the chance to play for any one of the 32 teams,” Blount said. “I know the questions will come about my dad, but I’ve got to make my own way.”