The South Florida Bulls put on an impressive performance against the Syracuse Orange in the Boca Raton Bowl. The South Florida Bulls managed to cap off a good season turnaround from the year prior. Fitting the mold of an Alex Golesh coached team, it was a former walk-on who served as an instrumental piece of the improved on-field product.
South Florida Bulls Prior To 2023
If anyone represents the impact of college football, it is Sean Atkins. An accomplished high school football player at Viera High School in Florida, he could have accepted opportunities to play at other lower level schools. Instead, he wanted to pursue his goals and dreams of playing for a larger program.
In doing so, he took long shifts working jobs in order to get through school. Getting up early for meetings, workouts, and practice, he would often have to stay up late to cover the shifts at his work after class. However he managed to show up for his team, and put out the necessary energy while operating on such an unsustainable schedule that would be beyond possible for a lot of people.
In 2021 he was granted a scholarship by the team. Despite this well deserved good news, he maintained his filled schedule, moving from the convenience store realm to dining. He served as food runner at the Meat Market Steakhouse, but was about to undergo a significant change for the better.
South Florida Bulls Under Alex Golesh
When the new coach was hired he urged Sean Atkins to put his energy and focus into football. With how demanding the sport is, and what is asked of you, he wanted to try to put the young wide receiver in his best position to succeed.
After establishing an agreed upon way forward, the fruition of his hard work translated to a record breaking season for the South Florida Bulls. Coach Alex Golesh had the following to say about the tenured player of his team from the Tampa Bay Times:
I think he is confident in the fact that he has ability, but wasn’t confident enough in the fact that, ‘Man I can actually be an every-down guy that is somebody we count on as a team, somebody that’s an accountable teammate, and somebody that can go make plays on Saturdays’
For Coach Alex Golesh, it was the perfect opportunity to help instill a new philosophy as a first year coach for the South Florida Bulls. He saw a guy willing to do whatever it takes and knew that if placed on a more conducive routine, that his example would not only shine for his teammates, but also lead directly to positive results on the field.
South Florida Bulls 2024
True to his commitment, and story of overcoming obstacles, Sean Atkins has kept his number 38 jersey. This number represents more than being a member of the South Florida Bulls. It represents his dedication, work ethic, and the hours it took on the field, and outside of the team environment, as he pursued his collegiate dreams.
And with a six catch, 93 yard, and two touchdown performance against the Syracuse Orange, he has not only set a school record, but is laying the foundation for even greater success in the upcoming season.