Atkinson Honored as Member of 2026 AFCA 35 Under 35 Class
12/8/2025 4:01:00 PM | Football
Jacks first-year WR coach among seven in state of Texas honored
Atkinson joined Colby Carthel's staff in the spring of 2025 after two seasons as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Division II Colorado State-Pueblo. The former four-year letterman and three-year starter at Tulsa also had stops at Midwestern State (WR) and Baylor (Off. GA).
This season, SFA wide receivers have been responsible for 223 of the offense's 268 catches which have gone for 2,645 yards and 27 touchdowns. Highlighting that effort has been All-American Kylon Harris who has hauled in 75 receptions for 983 yards and ten touchdowns. Harris was named an All-SLC first team selection and is coming off an 11-catch, 183-yard effort with a score in SFA's second round playoff win over Abilene Christian.
Atkinson has directed a group that has played dominant role in an SFA offense that ranks second in the SLC in passing yard efficiency (149.34), total offense (396.8) and scoring offense (36.0) entering the FCS quarterfinals.
ABOUT THE AFCA 35 UNDER 35 COACHES LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
The AFCA 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute, presented by Riddell InSite Analytics, is a prestigious program designed to identify and develop premier, future leaders in the football coaching profession. Selected participants are invited to attend the one-day institute that features a curriculum of interactive lectures focused on topics specifically tailored to emphasize leadership in the coaching profession, ethics, influential responsibilities, career progression, and family balance.
Members of the 2026 AFCA 35 Under 35 receive a stipend to assist with expenses incurred while attending the AFCA Convention. They will be published in the bi-monthly AFCA Magazine, AFCA Insider weekly email blast, and/or have their articles and videos added to the AFCA website. Members become a part of a prestigious network of rising coaches in the profession, along with many other great benefits.
To be eligible, applicants must be 35 years old or younger on January 1st of the year's convention and must be currently serving as a high school head coach, a two-year college full-time assistant or head coach, or an NAIA/NCAA (all divisions) full-time assistant or head coach. Applicants were required to submit a resume, five references, and a 1,600-word article or a ten-minute live instructional video on an offensive, defensive, special teams, or position-specific topic of the applicant's choosing back in the summer.
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