 Born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Akey graduated from Roy J. Wasson High School in 1984, having lettered in three sports.Akey played at outside linebacker, defensive end, and tight end for head coach Mike Price at Weber State, where he was an all-Big Sky and honorable mention All-American at defensive end in his senior season of 1987.Akey was a college assistant coach for 19 seasons, beginning in 1988 as assistant defensive line coach at Weber State.