Conference football media day is often the first event that signals the start of the next season being around the corner.
Attending Big 12 media day in Frisco, Texas, on Tuesday certainly had Colorado tight end Zach Atkins ready to go.
“Just being in this atmosphere makes me want to go hit the field right now and run some routes,” he said. “I’m really excited for camp and everything, and these next few weeks are going to be really critical for me to just to get my body really primed and ready to go for the season.”
There are several reasons for CU fans to be intrigued by the possibilities on offense this year, from new coordinator Brennan Marion installing his Go-Go scheme to five-star quarterback JuJu Lewis potentially taking over as starter, and a host of talent at running back and receiver.
Atkins, however, could have a big impact in his second season with the Buffaloes.
A year ago, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Atkins caught 20 passes for 149 yards in his first season in Boulder. This year, he’s hoping to have even more opportunities to catch the ball.
“I don’t want to talk too much about myself, but there’s not a lot of tight ends that are as fast and with my speed and my hands, to be honest, in the country,” he said. “And thatap the way I feel, and I’m definitely going to go show it this year.”
Prior to coming to CU, Atkins played three seasons at Northwest Missouri State, catching 30 passes for 360 yards and four touchdowns. After a good season last year in Boulder, he comes into this year excited about the potential he has in Marion’s offense.
“I love it. Itap been unbelievable trying to learn (the offense),” he said. “I’m still working on it. There’s still a lot of stuff going on with it, but coach Marion has been unbelievable in putting me in situations to be successful. Sometimes I’ll line up out wide at X, sometimes I’ll be in the backfield. So, you guys are going to see a lot of different stuff from me this year. Kind of the Swiss Army Knife in the offense. I’ll do everything.”
CU hasn’t utilized the tight end much in recent years, but Atkins sees potential in the entire group.
Atkins said of Northern Colorado transfer Fisher Clements: “I’ve been really proud of his growth since he got here.”
He added that junior walk-on Charlie Williams could have a breakout season.
“He hasn’t been healthy, but he’s back to healthy now and going to have a really big season,” Atkins said. “I really believe in him, and he’s come a long way.”
Former walk-on Brady Kopetz is a leader and key blocker, while redshirt freshmen Zayne DeSouza and Corbin Laisure continue to develop, along with true freshman Ben Gula.
It all starts with Atkins, though. He’s got talent to be a receiving threat, but is also a leader and made an impression on head coach Deion Sanders with his toughness.
“We have a tight end here thatap tough as I don’t know what,” Sanders said. “Last year, I can remember him getting a stinger against somebody and didn’t want to come off the field. We had to make him come off the durn field to recalibrate him and get him together to make sure he’s OK.”
It’ll be tough to get Atkins off the field this year, too, as he looks to have a big impact on the offense, as well as on the entire team, all while continuing his development as he eyes a future in the NFL.
“(Going to the NFL) is obviously the end goal, but I’m only worried about week to week,” he said. “Just whatever it takes to win. The more that we win, the more successful I’ll be. Thatap my only worry is go 1-0 every week.”
