Pahokee safety Atkins is Bulls' 2nd commitment

[Mama_Bull]

May 26, 2010

Pahokee safety Atkins is Bulls' 2nd commitment

USF has picked up its second commitment toward the Class of 2011, as Rontavious Atkins, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound safety from Pahokee, committed on Tuesday night according to his high school coach.

Atkins, who plays linebacker and running back at Pahokee, is likely a safety at USF, though coach Blaze Thompson said he could play outside linebacker if he continues to add weight to his frame.

"He plays very aggressively, and he's a good running back, so he knows what to do when he gets the ball in his hands," Thompson said. "He's been a very versatile player for us."

Thompson said Atkins had offers from Wake Forest, Bowling Green, Florida International and Western Michigan, but was impressed by USF, which had defensive tackles coach Kevin Patrick recruiting him. He's USF's second commitment, joining Punta Gorda Charlotte receiver Alex Mut.

We'll have more from Atkins in the next two hours or so -- here's a highlight video from SoFlafootball.com. He hasn't yet been rated by Rivals.com (which lists him at 5-11, 177) or Scout.com (which has him at 5-11, 170). The Palm Beach Post rates him as the No. 14 recruit on their "Big Board" of area recruits for 2011.

Posted by Greg Auman at 10:27:05 AM on May 26, 2010

http://blogs.tampabay.com/usf/2010/05/pahokee-safety-atkins-is-bulls-2nd-commitment.html

[Mama_Bull]

Rontavious Atkins commits to South Florida

by Jason Lieser

Pahokee LB/DB Rontavious Atkins said he is committed to the University of South Florida.

Blue Devils coach Blaze Thompson said he spoke with the staff at USF this morning and confirmed that the Bulls have accepted Atkins’ commitment.

Atkins said by text he chose USF because the coaches pursued him more than any other program did, it is close to home and the Bulls have a good history of producing defensive backs.

He is likely to play safety for the Bulls.

Atkins, who will be a senior this fall, started for the Blue Devils on a senior-laden team last year and is their top college prospect.

Wake Forest was the first to offer Atkins (6-1, 190, No. 14 on The Big Board), but the school seemed to cool on him and fell out of favor. He also had offers from Bowling Green and Florida International.

Atkins is the first Pahokee player to commit this spring. In the area’s upcoming senior class, six of the top 18 prospects have committed.

All commitments are non-binding. No player is locked into a school until he signs a national letter of intent in February or enrolls early in January.

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/highschoolbuzz/2010/05/26/rontavious-atkins-commits-to-south-florida/

[redfisher78]

His film is actually very impressive

[nobull.Bulls]

Very cool. Hope he plays great his senior year!

Off topic a lil: Didn't Anquan Boldin come from Pahokee or somewhere close by?

[2000bull]

Very cool. Hope he plays great his senior year!

Off topic a lil: Didn't Anquan Boldin come from Pahokee or somewhere close by?

yes...http://www.baltimoreravens.com/People/Players/Under_Contract-Own_Rights/Anquan_Boldin.aspx

[KyleC]

Any kid that we pick up from Pahokee has a chance of being great...

Check out this ESPN video

[BDYZR]

That is one cool story.

[The Dude]

Rabbit.  Ummm.  Ummm.

[Mama_Bull]

Rivals recently rated him 3-stars.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/usf/football/recruiting/player-Rontavious-Atkins-110993