Interview: 2019 Florida ATH Stephone Atkinson Ready to Showcase Talents on Defense

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

Any college football program with conference title aspirations located in the south, southeast, or along the Atlantic coast must recruit the Sunshine State, and recruit it well. The state of Florida is one of the best in the nation at churning out Division I prospects, especially at the skill positions. The amount of athletes swarming Florida’s high school gridirons year after year is impressive. There is always a next group ready to shine moving the needle forward with Stephone Atkinson being yet another in a long line of dynamic athletes on the list.

Atkinson spent his sophomore season playing running back in Lake Minneola’s Wing-T offense. Despite the ball being spread around in the open offense, Atkinson still managed to rush for 800-plus yards with six scores on an estimated stat line. A glimpse of the future was seen on one series in one game last year with the Hawks. Atkinson played linebacker on one drive tallying three tackles.

The show of athleticism is expected to take an even bigger turn in 2017 with more time dedicated on both sides of the ball. The 6-3, 210 pound, rising star will play outside linebacker/defensive end while continuing to run over opposing Florida defenses. The interest that has already been built among programs like Pitt, Florida International, Florida Atlantic, Boston College, Florida State, and Florida is sure to kick up a notch when the last whistle blows on the Hawks’ upcoming season.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the rising stars in the state of Florida gaining insight on his sophomore season, dedicated off-season workouts, and growing recruiting interest.

Interview

Stephone, you got time in on both sides of the ball last season, which position do you like playing best, running back or linebacker?

“I like playing both. If I had to pick, I like playing defense. You get to hit people.”

Spoken like a true linebacker. You move really well, especially for your size, at running back. Which player are you most often compared to at tailback?

“I’d say Marshawn Lynch (Oakland Raiders). I’ve been watching him play football in college and in the NFL. I compare myself to him. I think he is one of the best running backs in the league.”

Looks like the Hawks run a lot of single-back sets, what type of offense did the Hawks run last year and what type of offense will they run this year?

“We ran a Wing-T last year and will again this year. We are a running offense. We do not pass that much.”

Will you be utilized any differently on offense this year?

“I won’t get as many touches this year because I will be on defense more.”

What role will you play on defense in 2017?

“The coaches want to use me at end/outside linebacker.”

How will they utilize your athleticism in their defense?

“They will use me to get to the quarterback and get around the edge to make plays. At outside linebacker, they want me to cover and blitz the gaps.”

What have you been working on this off-season to prepare for your junior year?

“For the spring game, I played end. I’ve been working on that a lot. I already know how to play running back in our system. Physically, I’m putting in a lot of work in the gym and on the field and extra time after practice to get better.”

Have you maxed out in weight room this off-season?

“I just maxed out last week. My bench was 275 and my squat was 415.”

Which camps did you attend this spring or summer?

“I was invited to the Under Armour All-American camp (Orlando), Nike Regional (Orlando), Rivals Combine (Orlando), Florida Gators, and USF (South Florida).”

Of them all, which was your best camp performance?

“I’d say the Under Armour camp. That was a great experience. I really liked the Under Armour camp.”

How did Florida camp go?

“It was good. I played defensive end and I dominated. I did not want to play against my class, I went up against the 2018 class. I won my one-on-ones and the coaches liked me. There were other coaches there from schools like Stetson, Miami, FIU, and Mississippi State. There were coaches from everywhere watching us.”

Which schools are showing recruiting interest in you?

“FIU, FAU, Boston College, Florida State, Monmouth, Pitt, and Florida talked to my head coach about me. FAU and FIU like my size, they will watch me play this season.”

Nice. What goals have you set for your junior campaign?

“My goals for this year, we went 1-9 last year. The goal is to be the best in our district. I want us to make the playoffs and make a championship run. We have a better team and better athletes this year. I want to get my bench to 300 by the end of the season and to 450 for squat. For stats, I want seven to nine sacks and five rushing touchdowns.”

What is your motivation out on the field?

“What gets me hyped to play, watching highlights on YouTube. I play for my mom and my brothers. I want to ball out for them and for my teammates. I want to be the first to go to college in my family.”

What is your GPA?

“3.1.”

What is your favorite subject in school?

“Math.”

Did you play any other varsity sports for your school?

“Track and weight lifting.”

Which events in track?

“The 200, 400, and 4×4.”

What was your best time in the 200?

“I think it was 23 or 24 seconds, I can’t remember. In the 400, I think it was 51 seconds.”

Stephone, thanks for your time today and good luck with fall camp.

“Thank you.”

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Photo credit: Michelle Brown Photography; No. 28 Stephone Atkinson makes a cut (2016)

Photo credit: CFBScout; No. 28 Stephone Atkinson