Better late than never
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JEFFERSON - Hunter Atkinson admits there was a time where he didn't know if his dream to play football for Georgia would ever come true.
In fact, it almost didn't.
The West Hall standout went into Tuesday before National Signing Day all set to sign with Cincinnati, until a last-second offer by the Bulldogs became the answer to his prayers.
"They kept telling me that it was a numbers game, but they might have a spot," Atkinson recalled being told by Bulldog tight ends coach John Lilly. "It was nerve wracking."
When Atkinson finally got the word, it took him about a second to say yes.
"I can't wait to get to Athens," said Atkinson, who spoke after finishing fourth in the Class AAA shot put Thursday at the state track meet.
Atkinson's story is an interesting one.
After just playing defensive line his first two years in high school, Atkinson was moved to tight end just prior to his junior campaign.
That's when the offers started to blow up.
At first it was offers from smaller FCS schools, but then came offers from both Cincinnati and Purdue.
But not knowing whether he would ever get an offer from the Bulldogs, Atkinson went ahead and committed to Tommy Tuberville's Bearcats - just in case.
"Georgia is where I always wanted to go. It was my dream school," Atkinson said. "They told me if they had a spot they would offer, but I went ahead and committed to Cincinnati so I wouldn't sitting there without one, just in case."
Georgia had a reason for offering Atkinson.
With the graduation of Arthur Lynch, depth at the position wasn't quite what Lilly wanted.
The Bulldogs have Jay Rome, but the Valdosta native has struggled with injuries over his career, while redshirt freshman Jordan Davis - while gifted athletically - has struggled picking up the offense.
Georgia already had a commitment from North Carolina native Jeb Blazevich, but as time wore on, it became apparent to Bulldog coaches that they might need a little help.
Atkinson said he's going to do what he can.
"We've been told that they're going to be looking for one of the young guys to come in and play," Atkinson said. "(Lilly) told us we don't have a lot of depth and they're looking for someone to play, and it's going to have to be a young guy. I hope I can get that opportunity."
At 6-foot-6 and 240 pounds, Atkinson said he recently lost 10 pounds following a recent illness, but expects to gain the weight back soon.
Considering he's only played the position for two years, he feels his best days are ahead.
"I feel like I've progressed a lot these first two years of playing the position, although I obviously still have a lot to learn," he said. "Compared to where I stand now after two years, I think with some hard work and practice I'll continue to get better."