Atkinson moves on

Keep in touch with UGASports.com

Freshman tight end Hunter Atkinson is no longer a part of the Georgia football team.

On Monday, UGASports.com reported that the Oakwood native had left campus. Wednesday, Georgia officials confirmed that he decided not to pursue his football career and will concentrate on opportunities associated with his long-term career goals. Atkinson will not be staying in school at UGA.

"Georgia is a great school with both athletic and academic opportunities and I want to thank Coach (Mark) Richt and the other coaches for their interest and all they have done for me over the past few months," Atkinson said in a statement. "I realized I have other career goals and want to pursue those interests."

Richt said that Atkinson will be missed.

"We will miss Hunter in our freshman class but understand his decision and wish him nothing but the best in achieving his career objectives," said Richt.

Atkinson's decision leaves the Bulldogs with just four scholarship tight ends for this fall, including junior Jay Rome, redshirt freshman Jordan Davis, sophomore Quayvon Hicks (former fullback) and freshman Jeb Blazevich.

The Bulldogs recently received a verbal commitment from four-star tight end Jackson Harris out of Columbia, Tenn., but with Atkinson leaving could look to add another from the position to the class of 2015.