From Underrated to SEC Offers: How Amiri Acker Used SDS to Jumpstart His Recruiting

By Signing Day Sports
Published 1M In Articles, Athlete Profile, Football, Recruiting

In the world of college football recruiting, exposure is everything. There are thousands of high school athletes across the country who have the talent to play at the next level but simply aren’t getting the looks they deserve. Some are in smaller markets, others haven’t had the right opportunities, and many just don’t know how to navigate the modern recruiting process.

That’s where Signing Day Sports comes in. Our platform, events, and expert staff are built to bridge that gap—to take players from being overlooked to being on the radar of major programs.

A perfect example? Amiri Acker.

Acker, a 6’2”, 185-pound wide receiver from Crescent High School in South Carolina, had zero college offers just a few weeks ago. Now, after an incredible showing at our Army Bowl National Combine Series, Acker has Division I programs knocking on his door, including a recent offer from an SEC school.

So, how did it happen? Let’s break it down.

The Combine That Changed Everything

At Signing Day Sports combines, athletes go through the same testing process used at the NFL Combine, with video-verified measurables including height, weight, wingspan, hand size, and crucial speed drills like the 40-yard dash, L-drill, broad jump, and shuttle run.

Acker didn’t just show up—he showed out.

He ran a 4.32 hand-timed 40-yard dash, but even more impressively, he recorded back-to-back 4.41 laser-timed 40s—a number that is typically slower than hand-timed but a truer measure of speed.

Numbers like these don’t lie, and they immediately turned heads.

247Sports recruiting analyst Ed O’Brien, who was in attendance, listed Acker as one of the top performers at the event, and soon after, Acker received an official ranking on 247Sports as a three-star prospect—a major milestone in any recruit’s journey.

But here’s the thing—performance alone isn’t always enough.

Acker had already put up solid numbers over his sophomore and junior years—898 yards and 10 touchdowns—but before the combine, he wasn’t getting the looks he deserved. His recruitment had stalled, and it was frustrating.

That’s why he took action.

The Turning Point: Exposure & the Right Support System

Acker’s high school coach encouraged him to attend combines to gain more exposure. He listened.

And after putting together an elite performance, our Signing Day Sports staff got to work.

We immediately started pushing Acker’s verified numbers and performance to college programs, using our connections in the industry to get his name in front of the right people. With today’s digital-first recruiting world, having data and film to back up talent is crucial, and Signing Day Sports provided that for Acker.

Soon enough, his recruiting profile started to take shape, and the offers started rolling in.

Now, he’s hearing from Power 4 programs, getting invited on visits, and making crucial decisions about his football future.

The Recruiting Process: What Athletes Need to Know

In a recent Twitter Space interview, Acker spoke about how challenging his recruiting journey had been before attending the Signing Day Sports combine.

He had spent months reaching out to coaches on his own, trying to make connections. But without the right exposure, it was an uphill battle.

For athletes in a similar situation, Acker’s journey offers key takeaways:

    • Get Verified – Numbers like 40-yard dash times and measurables carry weight when they are verified. College coaches trust third-party validation.
    • Compete & Stand Out – Acker didn’t just show up—he dominated at the combine. Competing in front of the right eyes is critical.
    • Use Your Support System – High school coaches, recruiters, and platforms like Signing Day Sports can be game-changers. But you need to show them you’re worth advocating for.
    • Be Proactive – Acker took charge of his recruitment, editing his own game film, attending events, and making sure he was putting himself in a position to be noticed.

The Next Steps for Acker & What It Means for You

With offers rolling in, Acker now finds himself in a new phase of the recruiting process—visits, decision-making, and planning for the next level.

During our Twitter Space interview, our staff advised him on how to approach his visits, emphasizing that college coaches use them as more than just a tour—they use them to assess an athlete’s personality, work ethic, and how they fit into a program’s culture.

Key advice included:

  • Come prepared with questions. Show you’ve researched the school’s system and ask about the offense or team philosophy.
  • Understand the program’s culture. Acker mentioned he wants to know about team chemistry—that’s a great question to ask on a visit.
  • Think beyond football. He’s considering a major in physical therapy—academics should be a factor in every recruit’s decision.

Despite his sudden rise, Acker is keeping a level-headed mindset, making sure he finds the best fit, whether it’s a Power 4 school or a smaller program that better suits his needs.

What This Means for YOU

Acker’s story is proof of what can happen when talent meets opportunity. He had the ability all along—he just needed the right platform.

That’s what Signing Day Sports provides.

If you’re an under-recruited athlete wondering what’s next, take control of your journey:

  • Get to a combine. Showcase your ability and get verified results that college coaches trust.
  • Build your profile. Make sure your film, stats, and information are up-to-date and accessible to recruiters.
  • Be proactive. Network, compete, and take ownership of your recruiting process.

Acker’s journey is just beginning—but it started with a decision to show up and compete. Are you ready to do the same? Sign up!

Signing Day Sports

Signing Day Sports

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