Ben Greenberger/River Radio Sports Central
MARION — Marion Senior Sam Adkins has now officially signed with Southeast Missouri State University to continue his athletic career. The wide receiver/kicker dual threat will cross the river to Cape Girardeau, and try to build on his success from the past three seasons.
Adkins was one of several Marion athletes who saw a significant amount of playing time as sophomores back in the 2023 season. He, alongside quarterback Callahan Roper, and fellow offensive weapons Junious Thomas, Logan Hoffman, and Blake Winters, took on large roles in coach Jason Dunning’s first season at the helm, following the retirement of Kerry Martin. Since then, they only saw their responsibilities, and production grow.
Adkins caught eight passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns his sophomore year. He also got his first taste of kicking at the varsity level, going 4 for 5 on extra points. His junior year, despite battling injuries, both his receiving, and kicking numbers sky-rocketed. He caught 36 passes for 574 yards and five touchdowns. He also made 14 of his 16 extra points.
Adkins came into his senior season with a lot of expectations, a key weapon in a senior-led offense that knew it had to put up big points to win games. Despite being a focal point for opposing defenses, Adkins was as good of a deep threat as you will find in southern Illinois. He played eight-and-a-half games, missing the second half against Centralia, and the game against Collinsville due to a shoulder injury. Adkins hauled in 48 passes for 742 yards, an average of more than 15 yards a reception. He also reeled in 12 touchdowns, ending tied for the team lead.
If his offensive prowess wasn’t impressive enough, he shined on special teams. He made 40 of 42 extra points, and set the school record for kickoff yards in a season with 3,238. This broke the previous record, set back in 2007, by 35 yards. Those yards contributed to 27 touchbacks, also the most in school history. It wasn’t just power, but also finesse. Marion recovered 3 out of the 5 onside kicks Adkins attempted this year.
Adkins ends his Wildcat career with the fourth most yards in school history, and is tied with teammate Thomas for the third most touchdowns. Before he takes his talents to SEMO, he will be a starter for the Marion basketball team, which begins its season Friday at home against Cahokia.