University of North Texas Athletics
2010 Player Preview - Brandon Akpunku
8/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Height/Weight: 6-1/ 240
Class: Junior
Position: Defensive End
Signed: In 2008 from Cedar Hill High School
2009 Key Stat: 6.0. The number of sacks AK had last season. Akpunku led the team in sacks last season and that translated into a preseason all-conference pick. Akpunku also had 11.5 tackles for a loss last season, which also led the team.
Why he will start: AK is poised to build on his breakout season after learning the defensive end position last year. Akpunku is firmly entrenched in the starting spot.
Why he won't start: Injury. Akpunku has some young talented players behind him, but he has earned his starting spot and will not likely surrender it.
Don't' forget: The defensive end moved from the linebacker spot last season. Akpunku when arrived on campus was a scrawny 200 pound linebacker, but he has worked his tail off in the weight room and added 40 pounds of muscle. Akpunku took some time to adjust to playing with his hand in the dirt, but came on and emerged as a bona-fide pass rusher.
Overall: The obvious weakness for Akpunku is stopping the run because of his size. He has gotten bigger, but is AK is to build on a successful sophomore season, he has to stop the run. Gary DeLoach knows that the Mean Green need pressure on the quarterback, but they also need to stop the run at the same time. If AK can stop the run and not be a one-trick pony, he becomes possibly the best defensive end in the Sun Belt Conference.
