TAMPA, Fla. – Sean Atkins is a prime example of a student-athlete sticking with it and fighting through the many challenges and occasional frustrations while making the best of every day.
Atkins began his career at USF as a walk-on under Charlie Strong in 2019. It would be two years before he received a scholarship and three before the receiver had playing time of note. This season, the Melbourne, Fla. native and product of Viera High has flourished under a new coaching staff, his third.
People are noticing Atkins’ diligence and dedication, something that is underscored by being nominated for the 2023 Burlsworth Trophy, named after the late Brandon Burlsworth, who went from walk-on to All-American at Arkansas. The winner will be announced December 4.
“Being nominated for it is super cool,” said Atkins. “I feel like it is the work-hard award. It provides a glimpse of your story and everything that you have worked hard for every single day.”
Working hard is something his teammates have noticed, including running back Nay’Quan Wright, who transferred from Florida in January and was immediately impressed by Atkins.
“Sean is a leader by his actions,” said Wright, who leads the Bulls with 590 rushing yards. “He puts his head down and comes to work every day. He motivated me to go to work. Just hearing his story, from a walk-on to a guy who earned a scholarship and is making plays, is huge.”
Atkins knew from the get-go that he had to be seen, but not heard, if he was going to make a mark on the program at some point.
“Being a walk-on, you have to go to work,” he said. “You can’t have an ego. You don’t have anything to your name, really. You have to be consistent with your work ethic every day. Getting a scholarship didn’t change anything.”
Atkins may make a couple of changes within the USF record book. He heads into Saturday afternoon’s game at Memphis (3:30/ESPN+) with 51 receptions for 550 yards. He is eighth all-time in single-season receptions, 16 behind leader Rodney Adams, who caught 67 passes in 2016. Atkins’ yardage total is 329 shy of Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s mark of 879 in 2017.
“Being able to get a shot, show what I am about and the coaches believing in me to execute the plays have made it a great season,” he said.
Atkins, who had 29 receptions in his first four seasons, has made his share of plays, including with his right arm on a two-point conversion and a pair of completions for 66 yards. He also has 63 punt-return yards. Whatever it takes.
“He is dynamic getting open, he is dynamic catching the football, he is dynamic with the ball in his hands,” said coach Alex Golesh, whose Bulls head into the season’s final month at 4-4. “He continues to get better every single week. He exudes confidence, but has earned the right to exude confidence with the way he works and has performed.”
His quarterback thinks pretty highly of him as well.
“He is always in the right spot at the right time and makes plays when he has to,” said Byrum Brown. “He is always looking to spring big plays. He will block for the running backs, myself or another receiver. He’s a big part of this team and a big contributing factor.”
Atkins, a graduate student who received a degree in marketing last December and has one more season of eligibility, credits his late grandfather for his work ethic. Jack Martin played football at Kentucky and was an educator and football coach in the Melbourne region.
“I feel that I resemble him the most,” said Atkins. “He was highly respected in my area and somebody I wanted to have in my corner at all times. He taught me that if you start something, you finish it.”
That brings us to why Atkins retained No. 38, which was hanging in his locker when he arrived at USF more than four years ago. He had opportunities to change his number, but had no interest.
“It resembles my thought process in finishing something that you start,” he said. “It kind of made me, and gave me a reason to go out on the field and do what I do. That’s why I stuck with it.”
Sticking with it has Atkins on the verge of program history.
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