[6] Akins started the 2015 as a starter, but suffered a season-ending injury in UCF's third game against Furman.

As a redshirt sophomore in 2016, Akins once again played in all 13 of UCF's games, tallying 23 receptions for 347 yards and two touchdowns.

[11] On January 3, 2018, Akins announced his decision to forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL draft.

[13] On January 27, 2018, Akins played in the 2018 Reese's Senior Bowl and caught two passes for 31 yards as part of Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien's South team that defeated Denver Broncos head coach Vance Joseph's North team 45–16.

[14] Akins sustained a hamstring injury ten days before the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis and was unable to perform any drills and chose to skip the bench press.

He attended private workouts and meetings with the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and New Orleans Saints.

[15] At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Akins was projected to be a sixth round pick or priority undrafted free agent by NFL draft experts and scouts.