Avery Atkins
| Florida Gators – No. 4 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Cornerback |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | May 29, 1987 Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Died: | June 5, 2007 (aged 20) Port Orange, Florida |
| Career history | |
| College | Florida (2005) |
| High school | Mainland |
Avery Jamal Atkins (May 29, 1987 – July 5, 2007) was an American football cornerback. A highly touted prospect, he died in 2007 at the age of 20. [1]
A native of Daytona Beach, Florida, Atkins attended Mainland High School, where he was an All-State cornerback and running back. Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, he chose Florida over numerous offers, including Auburn, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, and South Carolina. Atkins was the highest-rated prospect in Urban Meyer's first recruiting class.[2]
As a true freshman, Atkins started three games in the 2005 season. In the Florida–Florida State game he intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble.[2] A projected starter, he played three games in 2006 before leaving the team.
On July 5, 2007, he passed in Port Orange, Florida.[3]
References
- ^ "Former UF, B-CC player Atkins dead at 20". Florida Times-Union. July 6, 2007.
- ^ a b "Former Gator Atkins found dead in car". Gainesville Sun: Gator Sports. July 5, 2007. Archived from the original on March 26, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
- ^ "Police call death of former Florida player 'suspicious'". ESPN.com. July 5, 2007.