Personal
Parents are Scott and Mary Atkinson of Provo, Utah ... one of five children ... grandson of former BYU coach Chick Atkinson ... an Eagle Scout ... recruited by Utah, Arizona State and Texas Tech.
At BYU
In 2001: Redshirted
Before BYU
Played linebacker for the first time as a senior at Timpview HS ... also played tight end, recording 49 receptions for 854 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior ... earned all-state honors as a senior ... led Timpview to an 11-1 record and an appearance in the state semifinals ... named Valley Player of the Year by the Provo Daily Herald ... a Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune All-State First Team selection ... named region 6 Most Valuable Player ... Timpview HS Most Valuable Player ... earned all-region academic honors ... registered 72 tackles, including 44 unassisted takedowns as a senior ... had two interceptions and forced five fumbles as a senior ... listed in several publications as the "top player in Utah" ... ran a 4.58/40 in high school.
Stats
| YEAR | GMS | UA | AT | TFL | SACKS | FF | FR | INT | QBH | PD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2003 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 22 | 15 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Earned letterman honors as a redshirt freshman ... earned All-Mountain West Conference All-Academic honors ... named the team's Special Team Cover Player of the Year ... saw action in all 12 regular-season games ... a significant contributor on special teams ... posted 12 tackles on the season, including 8 solo takedowns ... credited with 2 unassisted tackles against Utah State, Air Force and Utah.
Earned letterman honors as a sophomore ... a two-time Academic All-Mountain West selection ... saw action on both special teams and on defense in 10 of the Cougars' 12 games ... credited with 14 tackles on the season, including seven solo and seven assisted takedowns ... recorded a season-high six tackles against Colorado State ... had two tackles for a combined loss of five yards ... recovered a Kurt Nantkes fumble at the UNLV seven-yard line, which lead to a BYU touchdown three plays later, cutting the Rebel's lead to 13-7.
Participated in spring drills ... credited with four tackles, including one sack in the annual Blue-White game ... will enter fall competing for the starting job at right-side linebacker.
Redshirted as a true freshman.
Redshirted as a true freshman.