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USF receiver Sean Atkins hopeful college football continues to embrace walk-on players 

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Published  December 17, 2024 4:46pm EST
Hillsborough County
FOX 13 News

Embracing the walk-on experience

FOX 13's Sean Barie talked with a USF walk-on wide receiver who is embarking on his final college game.

TAMPA, Fla. - Sean Atkins' tenure at USF has been something out of a Hollywood script.

"I was just a young kid who loved playing football and wanted to go out and compete," Atkins said. 

Sean Atkins catching a pass during a USF Bulls football team practice.

Sean Atkins catching a pass during a USF Bulls football team practice.

The unrecruited, undersized former walk-on who came to campus as an unknown will now leave as the Bulls' record holder in career receptions, receptions in a single season, and receiving yards in a single season. 

READ: Tulane and UF's football teams arrive in Tampa ahead of Gasparilla Bowl

"It is super special," said Atkins. "It's a unique journey and I'm very appreciative to be a part of it."

As the Bulls prepare for the Hawai'i Bowl, Atkins is soaking in his last few moments in the green and gold. 

"There's a lot of emotions and a lot of looking back on my journey, honestly," Atkins said. 

And while stories like Sean's are rare, they are not unheard of. 

But they may soon be.

"Nobody has asked me my opinion on what I want to do, but I think it's crazy to say 'No walk-ons. It is what it is.'" Bulls head coach Alex Golesh said. 

READ: USF breaks ground on new on-campus stadium

Per a settlement between the U.S. House of Representatives and the NCAA, football teams will have their rosters capped at 105 players moving forward. 

Atkins is speaking to FOX 13 News about his experience as a walk-on wide receiver for the USF Bulls.

Atkins is speaking to FOX 13 News about his experience as a walk-on wide receiver for the USF Bulls.

However, the total number of scholarship players allowed on a roster will also be increased from 85 to 105, meaning it is unlikely that we will have as much of a need for walk-on players like Sean Atkins in the future. 

"It kind of eliminates all the stories like mine and everybody that came before who were walk-ons," Atkins said. "It decreases the chance that people get to make it and get to create their own story."

Some collegiate athletic conferences, such as the SEC, have promised to maintain the 85 scholarships per roster limit for 2025. 

READ: Tampa Bay Rays stadium: Pinellas commissioners meet again to discuss funding

Regardless, Golesh and Atkins hope there will still be a place for walk-on players and their stories in college football.

"I think at a point we'll make a decision (on) who are the best 105 that will help us go win, but I still think there will be a handful of those stories," Golesh said. 

One thing is already certain. 

Sean Atkins' story won't be forgotten at USF any time soon. 

"I've just had this chip on my shoulder this whole time, and I don't ever want to lose that," Atkins said. "I think that walk-on mentality is just going to carry on with me my entire life." 

Atkins, however, just hopes his story isn't the last one like it. 

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