Mustang News
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Cal Poly Football has announced two new additions to the quarterback room via the NCAA transfer portal.
On Thursday the Mustangs signed incoming sophomore Jackson Akins from Division III University of Mount Union while incoming redshirt sophomore Richie Watts announced his commitment to Cal Poly on June 7.
Jackson Akins, sophomore
The 6’2, 200-pound quarterback played four games his freshman year at Mount Union, passing for 245 yards and three touchdowns.
Although his college resume is short, Akins “showed some potential” in high school, according to Cal Poly head coach Paul Wulff. He spent three years at Desert Vista High School in Arizona before transferring to Lake Gibson in Florida.
He threw 1,587 yards and 15 touchdowns his senior year. Akins has also shown that he can be a dual threat, running for 217 yards his junior year while passing for 860 yards.
“We feel like he has all the raw ability to develop into an outstanding player for us,” Paul Wulff said on GoPoly.
Richie Watts, redshirt sophomore
The Rocklin, Calif. native spent his first year in junior college at the College of San Mateo. He then transferred to the University of Buffalo for his redshirt season.
In his season at San Mateo, Watts threw for 2,148 yards, 21 touchdowns and two interceptions. He is listed as 6 ‘3 and 210 pounds on 247sports.
His last full season in high school was his junior year where he threw for 1,605 yards and eight touchdowns.
How this affects the 2024 season
These additions for the Mustangs have increased the competition for the starting quarterback role after the departure of Sam Huard, who broke multiple records for Cal Poly last season.
Huard entered the transfer portal shortly after the spring game and committed to the University of Utah.
Along with the new additions, returners Bo Kelly, Jaden Jones, Colby White and Dieter Barr will also compete for the starting job.
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