Courtesy of Dynamic Sponsorships

In January of 2025 Dylan Akins flew out to Tulsa, Oklahoma to pick up a brand-new Toyota Tundra that sported his name and his alma mater’s logo on the wrap. Akins won full rights to use that Tundra and a matching Nitro Z20 Boat through being crowned the Bassmaster College Series Classic Bracket Champion.

After a bit of a white-knuckle drive home from Tulsa amidst a winter storm, Akins went on to have a strong season as college fishing’s representative in the Bassmaster Classic and Bassmaster Opens. Akins competed on the biggest stage in bass fishing, placed inside the top 50 in points for Opens Division 1 and qualified for the inaugural year of Elite Qualifiers (EQs).

Akins successes were far more than on-the-water related, however, as he proved to be an excellent representative of Emmanuel University, the College Classic Bracket program and college bass fishing. The Georgia native towed his boat over 25,000 miles in 2025 and learned a lot about new lakes, life as a full-time tournament angler and himself in the process.

“This year was eye-opening and educational for me in so many ways,” Akins said. “I learned so much about fishing new bodies of water as a solo angler this year, which was a major change from college fishing. In college I had a partner, a coach, and an entire team to bounce ideas off of. In the Opens it’s just you, the fish, and the competition. It really forces you to step up in all facets of tournament competition; whether that’s organization, managing equipment, staying on top of maintenance, or making decisions on the water.”

Going forward Akins will continue to pursue fishing at the highest levels, competing in one division of the Bassmaster Open EQs, select MLF Toyota Series events, along with local team trails throughout Georgia and the Carolinas. He’s working as a field staff member for Toyota Bonus Bucks in 2026, a program he’s come to know well, while continuing as a project and social media manager for Defyne Payments, a position he held on top of his full fishing schedule in 2025.

Another one of the perks of winning the College Classic Bracket program revolves around making contacts within the fishing industry. Akins, and all the college champions before him, work directly with marketing directors for brands like Strike King, Lew’s, Bass Pro Shops, Nitro, Humminbird, and Minn Kota to name a few. Akins tried to be a sponge in these connections and will continue to look for career opportunities within the industry while competing.

“Probably the biggest lesson or takeaway from this year was how to approach tournament fishing as a career versus winging it in college,” Akins said with a smile. “Working with so many great brands, I learned how important the promotion side is off the water. The importance of social media and building a relationship with your sponsors and supporters.”

This revelation is something all young anglers must learn as they grow in their careers, but Akins college education and base from working with his Coach, the late Pam Martin Wells, at Emmanuel University helped him shine in his role.

Fast forward to the end of his year as the College Classic Bracket Champion, Akins made a second trip out to Tulsa in December of 2025, but this time it was to turn in his leased vehicle and pick up a 2026 Toyota Tundra of his very own.

A new Tundra was the biggest purchase of the young man’s life, but one he was confident to make after spending so much time in the driver’s seat of a Tundra last year.

“I knew after my first few drives I wanted to get a new Tundra after my year as the college champion,” Akins explained. “The Toyota Bonus Bucks program in and of itself was a huge incentive; heck four of the five people I’m traveling with for the Opens in 2026 drive vehicles eligible for Bonus Bucks payouts. But more than that they are just rock solid, reliable vehicles. I did my homework, talked to multiple dealers and ultimately bought my new truck from Southwest Toyota in Lawton, OK.”

Akins joins a long list of past College Classic Bracket champs who went on to immediately purchase a Tundra after their year driving a leased vehicle. In fact, the past six college champions: Cody Huff, Trevor McKinney, Tristan McCormick, Easton Fothergill, Louis Monetti and now Dylan Akins all purchased a Tundra after ‘graduating’ from the program. A testament to Toyota’s quality and support of bass fishing at all levels of the sport.

Akins has a bright future ahead of him and joins an exclusive fraternity of young anglers who have come through the College Classic Bracket program. This group of now fifteen anglers (including 2026 representative Tripp Berlinsky) has produced numerous Elite Series, MLF, and industry professionals. They’ve won Classic trophies, Elite Series titles, MLF events, Angler of the Year races, Bassmaster Open events and made an impact behind the scenes working for some of the most recognized brands in bass fishing.