100 Days of Summer: Get to Know No. 9 Gyasi Akem

We are now into the single digits. That means that game week is on the horizon. Next up in our countdown is a fourth-year senior who’s made most of his hay on special teams but is looking at a rotational spot on defense this fall.

How he got to OSU

Gyasi Akem was a four-star prospect out of Broken Arrow High School who picked Oklahoma State over offers from Oklahoma, Clemson, Baylor, TCU and others. Akem, a Scout 300 recruit, was the highest ranked signee in Oklahoma State’s 2014 class.

What he’s done in Stillwater

Akem saw action in 10 games as a true freshman, mostly on special teams and eight as a sophomore in 2015. Last year, Akem saw an increased role on defense including career-high six tackles against Texas Tech. He’s seem time at both the Mike and Will linebacker spots.

Role in 2017

The Cowboys will be without All-Big second-teamer Devante Averette who carved out a nice career from the Will linebacker role. Justin Phillips is slated to take over his starting role but Akem could be in play there as well as backing up Chad Whitener at middle linebacker. Juco-transfer Patrick Macon will be in the mix at Mike backer as well.

Noteworthy stats and highlights

Had a career-high six tackles (four solo) had tackles for loss against Central Arkansas in 2015 and against Pitt and Oklahoma (assisted) in 2016. Akem was credited for a forced fumble against Kansas State last year.