The article below originally appeared in the San Jose Mercury News and is being reprinted with permission.

Since summer workouts began at Cal, the walk from his off-campus apartment to the football facilities have been a dream come true for David Aknin.

The path to Berkeley, though, began a long time ago in San Carlos.

“It’s always been Cal,” the 21-year-old Aknin said. “It’s been my team since I was a child. I’m excited to be in the Bay Area playing for a dominant program like Berkeley.”

A two-way standout at Carlmont High in Belmont, his senior year ended with 1,985 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns to go along with 22 sacks on defense.

Cal didn’t immediately come calling, so Aknin became a Bulldog at College of San Mateo.

“CSM is a great steppingstone,” Aknin said. “I learned so much down there, and the coaches did a great job developing me as a player and as a student.”

Aknin served on the leadership group at CSM.

“I can’t remember him ever being down,” CSM coach Bret Pollack said.

Durable and deceptively fast, Aknin was a perfect fit for CSM’s veer offense with his tough inside running. The 6-foot, 235-pound running back even became a weapon in the passing game with two years of hard work despite coming in with hands of stone.

The 2009 season, in which CSM played for its first state title, ended with 1,052 yards on the ground and 17 touchdowns.

“I can’t recall a fumble,” Pollack said. “He protected the football, ran hard and developed as a receiver out of the backfield.”

Every yard, every hit he took, revolved around the goal of landing at Cal. “I kept telling him, ‘Sure, Aknin, keep dreaming,'” Pollack said.

And then the dream came true. From Carlmont, to CSM, to Berkeley.

“It’s like my second family down there at CSM, and they really took care of me during the recruiting process with Cal,” said Aknin, who is studying political economy.

The first order of business was switching from running back to fullback.

“It’s just more blocking,” Aknin said. “Getting adjusted to the position has been a bit of a challenge, but I’m a football player. So anywhere on the field that they need me to play I’m willing to work.”

Four other fullbacks are listed on the Cal roster, including Will Kapp out of Los Gatos High.

“We have a solid fullback core in the team, and they were all helpful,” said Aknin, who will redshirt this season and keep two years of eligibility. “We always want what’s best for the team. It’s a team sport, and if they need me on the field, I’ll be there. If not, then I’m still part of the program trying to make the other guys work hard and get better.

“We’re doing everything that we can to win a Pac-10 championship,” Aknin said.

Up until now, Aknin has stepped into Memorial Stadium once — as a fan.

Now he’s a member of the team. And next year, he will take the field in uniform.

“Of course, everyone dreams of that opportunity,” Aknin said.

For a lucky few, the dream comes true.

E-mail Vytas Mazeika at vmazeika@dailynewsgroup.com.