Notre Dame: Played for three years at Notre Dame as a cornerback under head coach Brian Kelly and also competed in indoor and outdoor track & field as a sprinter... As a freshman, appeared in eight games for the Irish and recorded two tackles... In track & field recorded a time of 6.88 seconds in the 60-meter dash, 21.79 seconds in 200 meters, and 10.39 seconds in 100 meters... As a sophomore, played in all 13 games for Notre Dame, which went 12-1 on the season and recorded five solo tackles, including three against Boston College... As a junior in 2013, played in five games and made three tackles for the Irish... Did not play in 2014.
High School: Played three years of varsity football at Granada High School in Livermore Calif. under head coach Tim Silva as a cornerback... Was team captain as a senior... As a sophomore, recorded 27 total tackles in 10 games with 14 solo tackles and 13 assists, and also had one interception... After missing his junior season, played both offense and defense as a senior, playing running back on offense... Took 30 carries for 218 yards and three touchdowns... Defensively, he collected 20 total tackles with 11 solo tackles and nine assists... Also deflected 11 passes and had one fumble recovery... Was named second team all-East Bay League as a defensive back... The Matadors finished the season with an 8-5 record and reached the third round of the CIF North Coast Section playoffs.
Personal: Born on Nov. 28, 1992 to George and Michelle Atkinson in Oakland, Calif. ... Has two siblings, George and Britney... Father, George Atkinson Jr., is a former all-pro defensive back for the Oakland Raiders and is now on the Raider radio broadcast team... Graduated with a bachelor's degree in communications from Notre Dame and is pursuing a graduate degree in Sports Leadership... Wants to play in the National Football League after his time at Azusa Pacific... Enjoys reading and chilling with family and friends.
