Avery Atkins

Avery Atkins
No. 4
PositionCornerback
Personal information
Born:(1987-05-29)May 29, 1987
Daytona Beach, Florida
Died:June 5, 2007(2007-06-05) (aged 20)
Port Orange, Florida
Career history
College
High schoolMainland
For the placekicker, see Avery Atkins (placekicker).

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 his coach, Urban Meyer, removed him from the team after a domestic violence incident.

Death

On July 5, 2007, he was found dead in his car in Port Orange, Florida.[3] An autopsy revealed he had high levels of ecstasy in his body as well as carbon monoxide. Police have ruled out a suicide attempt.[4][5]

References

  1. ^ "Former UF, B-CC player Atkins dead at 20". Florida Times-Union. July 6, 2007.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Police call death of former Florida player 'suspicious'". ESPN.com. July 5, 2007.
  4. ^ "Former Florida player died of apparent overdose, autopsy shows". Associated Press. October 26, 2007 – via Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
  5. ^ Curtis, Dave (October 27, 2007). "Atkins died from drug overdose". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 7, 2020.


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