Jeff Atkins (born April 7, 1964) is a former American football running back.[1]

Atkins grew up in the Butler housing project in Fort Worth, Texas.[2] He attended Fort Worth's Eastern Hills High School. As a senior, he rushed for 2,333 yards and scored 25 touchdowns. He was the No. 1 recruit from Texas.[3] He rushed for 310 and 329 yards in individual games and was later described as "the most celebrated player in the history of Fort Worth high school football."[2]

He played college football as a tailback for the SMU Mustangs from 1983 to 1986, tallying 3,260 rushing yards and scoring 31 touchdowns.[4] He set an SMU freshman record with 218 rushing yards against Rice.[2] He also broke Earl Campbell's Southwest Conference freshman rushing record.[5]

He was not selected in the NFL draft and tried out, unsuccessfully, with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1987.[2][6] He attempted a comeback and played in several games for the Dallas Texans of the Arena Football League during the 1991 season.[7][8]

References

  1. ↑ "Jeff Atkins NFL Stats and Bio". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "From football star to addicted inmate: Atkins was can't-miss player who did". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. April 12, 2001. pp. 1A, 14A – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Recruiting: It can be a dilemma or dream". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. January 30, 1983. p. 4B – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Jeff Atkins". SR/College Football. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Tale of Two Backs: No. 1 recruit in '83, Atkins makes last run". The Dallas Morning News. September 10, 1986.
  6. ↑ "RB Atkins Signs Deal with CFL Winnipeg". The Dallas Morning News. May 13, 1987.
  7. ↑ "Jeff Atkins - ArenaFan.com". www.arenafan.com.
  8. ↑ "Texans' Camp Draws a Cast of Characters: Ex-SMU back Atkins travels comeback road". Dallas Morning News. April 7, 1991.
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