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 |