Avery Atkins

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]

Avery Atkins
Florida Gators – No. 4
PositionCornerback
Career history
CollegeFlorida (2005)
High schoolMainland
Personal information
Born:(1987-05-29)May 29, 1987
Daytona Beach, Florida
Died:June 5, 2007(2007-06-05) (aged 20)
Port Orange, Florida

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 leaving the team.

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. "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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