The Bruins junior running back has now received four collegiate offers
Watch Lamont Atkins help lead his highly-ranked team to victory over cross-town rival Robinson from earlier this season. (Video by Josh Apple for Synthesis/Koubaroulis LLC / The Washington Post)
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October 5, 2015, 12:21 p.m. — Lake Braddock junior running back Lamont Atkins had a busy weekend. In a game played one night early due to the threat of Hurricane Joaquin, Atkins busted for 216 yards rushing on just eight carries and had two catches for 23 more yards in Thursday night’s 33-7 win over Centreville to remain undefeated. The highlight of the game was his 99-yard touchdown run following a goal-line stand by the Bruins defense, which was one of his two scores.
But his weekend was just getting started. On Friday, the 5-foot-11, 195-pound back received an offer from Vanderbilt of the SEC, widely considered the NCAA’s most dominant football conference. The Commodores’ running backs coach, Charles Bankins, left a message for Atkins to call. Over the phone, Bankins gave Atkins the news.
Atkins immediately took to Twitter and broke the information:
Incredibly blessed to receive an offer from Vanderbilt ⚓️ Thanks to Coach Mason & Coach Bankins for this opportunity. pic.twitter.com/ch1olrDHOw
— ✨Lamont Atkins✨ (@atkins2017) October 2, 2015
Atkins has yet to speak directly with Head coach Derek Mason, as all communication has been with Bankins thus far.
“I called and they gave me an offer, I was really excited to get it,” Atkins said.
Atkins’ weekend was still not done. Having already received an offer previously from Navy, he attended the Midshipmen’s home game against Air Force on Saturday, and witnessed a 33-11 victory.
The three-star recruit has also received offers from Kent State and Toledo, putting his total up to four. Just halfway through his junior season with the Bruins, more are likely to come.
“I’m always open to get more, but I’ll just take whatever comes,” Atkins said.
At this point, he has yet to visit the Vanderbilt campus in Nashville, Tenn., but has plans to attend the Commodores’ home game on Nov. 14 against Kentucky.
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According to Atkins, picking his next institution goes well beyond the gridiron. One of his top priorities is the classroom, and that will play a major factor in his decision.
“One of the main things I look for in a college is the education system,” Atkins said. “Navy and Vanderbilt, they both have good academic programs.”
However, he still has plenty of time to decide and the Bruins are in the middle of a promising season. They are 5-0 playing in a loaded Fairfax County and are ranked No. 3 in the Washington Post All-Met poll. Atkins has 494 yards on the ground and another 116 through the air through the first part of the year.
“I can do whatever the coach wants me to do,” Atkins said. “My strengths are speed and vision.”
The Bruins are led by dual-threat senior quarterback Kyle Edwards, who is also going through a college recruiting process. According to Edwards, Atkins provides a major spark for the offense with his versatility.
“Lamont is one of our skill guys who has all the tools to play at the next level,” Edwards said. “He’s a guy who I can rely on in big games and who I have great chemistry with. This season he’s shown his toughness and big-play ability. He’s one of the top guys in the state and can be utilized at a number of positions.”
Following Atkins’ monster game on Thursday, it is hard to argue with the skills and big-play threat he provides. However, Atkins doesn’t like to take all the credit for his big numbers with the Bruins, as he has a great deal of respect for his offensive line.
“That group of guys is doing a great job this year and that goes overlooked too often,” Atkins said.
The most noteworthy game left on the Bruins schedule is in the final week of the regular season against fellow undefeated and fourth-ranked South County. This will be a great test for both teams heading into the playoffs.
“The only thing I really hope to accomplish this season is dong whatever my team needs me to do to get to the state championship,” Atkins said.
With four collegiate offers, which includes an SEC program, and in the midst of an undefeated high school season, things are looking good for the junior running back. However, he understands how much effort will need to be put in over his final year-and-a-half in Burke, Va.
“Everything needs to be worked on because college is a completely different level from high school,” Atkins said. “If I want to get to college, I have to work a lot harder.”
Other schools high on Atkins list include Duke, Purdue and Rutgers. He and his father send highlight packages to these schools, among others, following special performances. The 99-yard touchdown scamper against Centreville might draw some attention from bigger programs.
Just as he values his offensive lineman for blocking for him, he also appreciates his coaches for helping him improve each week.
“I just want to thank (Head) coach (Jim) Poythress and the entire football staff at Lake Braddock for continuing to help me on and off the field, and I couldn’t do it without them,” Atkins said.
The Bruins return to action Friday at T.C. Williams (2-3).
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