University of South Alabama Athletics

Jaguar Highlights: Was not able to participate during the spring season due to injury.

As A Sophomore (2013): Appeared in three games, playing primarily on special teams.

As A Redshirt Freshman (2012): Saw action in each of the last four contests of the season ... Credited with unassisted tackles at Louisiana-Lafayette and Hawai’i in the Jags’ final two games ... Was the scout special teams coaches’ award winner after the North Carolina State contest.

As A Freshman (2011): Sat out the season as a redshirt ... Earned coaches’ special teams scout team award after USA’s win over Henderson (Ark.) State.

High School Highlights: Started for four years at Fort Payne HS, leading the Wildcats to a 38-9 (80.9%) record during that span, while earning five letters ... Ranked 10th among athletes in Alabama by ESPN.com ... Rated a two-star recruit and the No. 169 running back in the country according to Scout.com ... Holds all-time records for catches and receiving yards and with 46 career starts at FPHS, and he also tied the school record with five touchdowns in a game ... Was the region’s Offensive Player of the Year and named to the Times-Journal all-county squad as an athlete ... Made 44 catches for 609 yards and seven touchdowns, adding 651 yards and 17 scores on 97 carries his senior year … Efforts helped FPHS finish 12-1 while advancing to the quarterfinals of state 5A playoffs before falling to the eventual runner-up ... As a junior, had 508 yards and 14 touchdowns on 76 carries, caught 51 passes for 627 yards and five touchdowns, and scored on a 95-yard kickoff return in the state playoffs ... Team was 8-3 and qualified for state playoffs ... Helped the Wildcats reach the postseason his sophomore season, while FPHS compiled an 11-1 mark and advanced to the second round of the playoffs when he was a freshman ... Also received three letters in track and two in basketball.

Personal: Full name is Akeem Christopher Elijuahwon Appleton ... Born Jan. 22, 1993, in Fort Payne, Ala. ... Son of Tammy Appleton ... Older brother, Antwon, was a slotback at Shorter (Ga.) College ... Favorite movie is “Life” ... Favorite book is “Hatchet” ... Favorite teams are the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Heat ... Favorite athletes are LeBron James and Brett Favre ... Favorite musical artists are Wiz Khalifa and Lil Wayne ... Favorite foods are ribs and chicken ... Favorite subject is history ... Would like to become a physical therapist for an NFL team ... Also recruited by Air Force ... A physical education major.