Eli Acker understands there is nothing like catching touchdown passes.
Tight ends typically don’t get as many chances to shine as wide receivers or running backs, but Acker paced the Heritage Academy football team in catches as a freshman.
Two years later, Acker has gone from catching touchdowns to protecting his quarterback to give him time to connect with somebody else for a touchdown.
“I love playing wide receiver and tight end,” said Acker, who moved from tight end to offensive tackle and defensive end last season. “It means a lot more to play offensive line because you know you’re behind all of it and these guys couldn’t do it without you.”
Acker stayed busy in the offseason by going to a number of camps, including Ole Miss a couple of times as well as Alabama and Mississippi State.
Acker, who gave a verbal commitment to Ole Miss in May, attended the Southern Elite Combine in June in Brookhaven. The 6-foot-5, 270-pounder was named the Most Outstanding Performer at the camp.
According to the 247Sports Composite index, Acker is the No. 32 offensive tackle prospect in 2020 and the No. 6 rising junior in the state of Mississippi.
Acker has achieved his lofty status with only a handful of games on the offensive line. As a freshman, Acker was the Patriots’ leading receiver at tight end / H-back. Last season, Heritage Academy coach Sean Harrison said Acker came to him after the game against Lamar School and asked to be moved to offensive tackle in an effort to help the team. The move solidified the Heritage Academy offense and played a key role in helping senior running back Dontae Gray eclipse the 1,000-yard mark.
“He is going to have a big year at tackle,” Harrison said. “Eli is an athlete who just happens to be 6-5, 270. His footwork is great in the pass game. He was good in the pass game last year. The run game was tough on him because he hadn’t done it before.”
Harrison, who played offensive line in college, said Acker has made tremendous strides since last season in part due to the work he has put in at the camps he has attended.
“What we’re seeing already is pretty unbelievable,” Harrison said.
But Acker isn’t a one-way player. He also can affect a game as a defensive end, which is another position Harrison said Acker is learning how to play.
“He is a terror,” Harrison said. “He gets off the ball, knows how to use his hands. If he gets his hands extended it is over. He had a great year for us last year.”
Harrison said Acker’s athleticism, quickness, and straight-line speed allows him to go both ways while other players will focus on one side of the football.
Acker said he knows he isn’t as big as many of the linemen he faces, but he credits his footwork for helping him to gain leverage or to earn an advantage against a slower counterpart. He displayed that footwork on the basketball court for the Heritage Academy boys basketball team.
Acker believes switching positions has paid off. He hopes to prove that to more college coaches this season.
“Mississippi State said they want to see a couple of films this year,” Acker said. “I think after that they will offer. Arkansas is pretty close, too.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.