Sean Atkins

Last updated

Sean Atkins
South Florida Bulls –No. 38
PositionWide receiver
ClassGraduate
Major Pre-Finance
Personal information
Born:August 9, 2001
Melbourne, Florida
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight186 lb (84 kg)
Career history
College
High school Viera High School (Viera, Florida)
Career highlights and awards
  • All-AAC Second Team (2023)
  • All-AAC Third Team (2024)

Sean Atkins is an American former college football wide receiver who played for the South Florida Bulls from 2019 to 2024. A former walk-on, he became the first 1,000-yard receiver in USF program history in 2023, finishing his career as the Bulls' all-time leader in receptions (200) and receiving yards (2,167). [1] [2]

Early life

Sean Atkins grew up in Melbourne, Florida, and attended Viera High School. [2] A 5-foot-10, 165-pound wide receiver, he received limited recruiting attention and was not ranked by major recruiting services like Rivals.com or 247Sports. Despite offers from NCAA Division II programs, Atkins chose to pursue NCAA Division I FBS football, joining the University of South Florida (USF) as a walk-on in 2019. [1] [2]

College career

Atkins joined the South Florida Bulls football team in 2019 as a walk-on, balancing a part-time job as a food runner to pay rent while attending early morning practices and classes. [1] [3]

He saw limited action in his first two seasons, appearing in six games in 2020 with no recorded receptions. [4]

In 2021, after earning a full scholarship before the season, Atkins played in 12 games, recording five receptions for 67 yards. [1] [5] His scholarship announcement was met with applause from teammates, marking a turning point in his career. [1]

In 2022, under new head coach Alex Golesh, Atkins emerged as a key receiver, catching 19 passes for 238 yards and three touchdowns. [5] Golesh, impressed by Atkins’ high school film from Viera, praised his "nifty" route-running and reliability. [2]

The 2023 season was a breakout year, with Atkins recording 92 receptions for 1,054 yards and seven touchdowns, becoming the first USF player to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in a season. [6] [7] Notable games included a career-high 116 yards and two touchdowns, including an 88-yard score, in a 44–30 win over Navy. [2] He earned Second Team All-AAC honors and was named a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy. [5]

In 2024, his final season, Atkins continued as a starter, earning Third Team All-AAC honors from both coaches and Phil Steele, and was named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list. [6]

He played in the 2023 Boca Raton Bowl and 2024 Hawai'i Bowl, setting a USF record with 17 bowl-game receptions. [8]

Atkins finished his career with 200 receptions, 2,167 receiving yards, and 17 touchdowns, holding USF records for career receptions and receiving yards. [1] [8] Reflecting on roster limit changes potentially reducing walk-on opportunities, Atkins expressed concern for future players, stating, "It kind of eliminates all the stories like mine." [9]

Career statistics

NCAAF career statistics [4]
SeasonTeamGPRecYdsAvgTD
2019USF0000.00
2020USF6000.00
2021USF1256713.40
2022USF121923812.53
2023USF13921,05411.57
2024USF12848089.67
Career552002,16710.817

Professional prospects

On March 26, 2025, Atkins participated in USF's Pro Day, performing drills before scouts from all 32 NFL teams and one Canadian Football League team. [8] [3] He completed 12 bench press reps of 225 pounds and a 9-foot-10-inch broad jump, though his 40-yard dash time was not publicly reported. [8] Atkins’ undersized frame (5’8", 177 pounds) was noted as a challenge for NFL prospects, with the average NFL receiver being taller. [3] Coach Alex Golesh highlighted Atkins’ ability to get open on third downs, comparing him to successful NFL receivers with long careers. [2] Atkins trained in Lake Nona, Florida, post-season, emphasizing his route precision and reliable hands. [3]

Personal life

Atkins is from Melbourne, Florida, and was supported by his parents and family friends at his 2025 Pro Day. [8] He has expressed gratitude for his walk-on journey, crediting his "chip on the shoulder" mentality for his success. [9] Atkins has advocated for preserving walk-on opportunities in college football, citing their role in stories like his. [9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Patience pays off for USF walk-on turned record-breaking wide receiver Sean Atkins". USF.edu. March 6, 2025. Archived from the original on March 6, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.[ dead link ]
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "USF Wide Receiver Sean Atkins: From Walk-On To Stand Out". HERO Sports. June 5, 2024. Archived from the original on June 5, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2025.[ dead link ]
  3. 1 2 3 4 "USF's Atkins, Joiner pursue NFL dreams at Pro Day". USF Oracle. March 26, 2025. Archived from the original on March 26, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.[ dead link ]
  4. 1 2 "Sean Atkins Career Stats - NCAAF". ESPN. Archived from the original on May 18, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.[ dead link ]
  5. 1 2 3 "Former Viera Hawk, Current USF Receiver Sean Atkins Named Burlsworth Trophy Semifinalists". Space Coast Daily. November 13, 2023. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2025.[ dead link ]
  6. 1 2 "USF Football's Sean Atkins Eyes Memorable Final Chapter Of Storybook Career". USF Athletics. August 26, 2024. Archived from the original on August 26, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2025.[ dead link ]
  7. ↑ "The record breaking night continues!!!!". X. USFFootball. December 21, 2023. Archived from the original on December 21, 2023. Retrieved May 18, 2025.[ dead link ]
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 "Is USF record-setting receiver Sean Atkins a bona fide NFL prospect?". Yahoo Sports. March 26, 2025. Archived from the original on March 26, 2025. Retrieved May 18, 2025.[ dead link ]
  9. 1 2 3 "USF Football's Sean Atkins hopeful college football continues to embrace walk-on players". FOX 13 Tampa Bay. December 17, 2024. Archived from the original on December 17, 2024. Retrieved May 18, 2025.[ dead link ]
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