Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman John Atkins has signed with the USFL’s Memphis Showboats. Atkins’ most recent professional football stint was with the Tampa Bay Bandits in the USFL.
The Thomson, Georgia, native went undrafted in 2018 but signed an undrafted free agent deal with the New England Patriots the same year. Atkins spent time with the Detroit Lions in 2019-2020 and with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 before this move to the USFL.
John Atkins has 22 tackles in his NFL career. Last season, the USFL ran from April to July. Atkins, who played for Georgia from 2013 to 2017, racked up 81 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and five pass breakups in his career with the Bulldogs.
The Memphis Showboats announced the signing of John Atkins via social media:
Free Agent Signing:
• DE John Atkins, Georgia
— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) December 7, 2023
We wish Atkins luck with the Memphis Showboats. The XFL and USFL combined ahead of next season. The Memphis Showboats are one of four USFL teams in the merger.