USF wide receiver Sean Atkins runs a 40-yard dash during USF’s Pro Day on Wednesday. ORACLE PHOTO / KEATON DUKE
USF wide receiver Sean Atkins has always been the underdog.
As a walk-on in 2019, he fought tooth and nail to earn a starting position. He worked a part-time job as a food runner before he earned a scholarship.
It took four seasons for him to even catch a touchdown.
Now, he could hear his name called during the NFL draft next month.
Atkins was one of 15 Bulls to perform in front of NFL Scouts at USF’s Pro Day on Wednesday.
Personnel from all 32 NFL teams were in attendance at the Porter Family Indoor Practice Facility.
Scouts decked in various team insignia jotted down notes as players performed various strength and agility drills.
Atkins caught only 34 passes in his first four seasons at USF before being elevated to full-time starter.
He became quarterback Byrum Brown’s security blanket and USF’s top offensive weapon in 2023. He caught 92 passes for 1,054 yards – both single-season program records.
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But he said he wasn’t surprised he made it this far. He always knew the work he put in would pay off.
“I would tell my past self, ‘I’m proud of you for just continuing to work and kind of put myself in a position to go out and do what I did today,’” Atkins said.
He said he’s completing his offseason training at a facility in Lake Nona, Florida – a community about a half-hour from Orlando.
Atkins measured in at 5-foot-8 and 177-pounds – undersized for his position. The average NFL receiver is 3 inches taller.
But Atkins said the production speaks for itself.
“You still have to guard someone who’s undersized,” he said. “I feel like I play to my weaknesses. I feel like I can still get open no matter who’s guarding me, and it doesn’t matter about height or weight, just the dog in the fight.”
Another participant was running back Kelley Joiner – who led the Bulls in rushing last season.
USF running back Kelley Joiner Jr. performs a vertical jump in front of NFL scouts at USF’s Pro Day on Wednesday. ORACLE PHOTO / KEATON DUKE
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ForJoiner, earning his spot took patience.
Early in his career, he showed flashes of potential but struggled to find consistent playing time, hindered by injuries and a crowded backfield that kept him waiting for his big break.
In 2021, Joiner played his best season at the time, finishing second on the team with 480 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
A bigger break for him seemed elusive in 2022, when a foot fracture derailed that plan, keeping him sidelined for most of the year.
With the addition of head coach Alex Golesh in 2023, he faltered – only mustering 156 yards on the season in nine starts.
He finally proved himself in 2024, where he ultimately led the Bulls with 799 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns.
With his college career behind him, Pro Day was his chance to prove last season wasn’t a fluke.
“All you can do is wait and train right now, and the work’s been put in,” he said after the day was over.
At the IPF, he and other players cycled through drills including the 40 yard dash – where he ran an unofficial 4.43 seconds.
Joiner — whose ability to make defenders miss in the open field has been a key factor of his play — said he was eager to showcase his all-around skill set to the scouts.
“I want to come out here and show my versatility.. [and] game film shows it off,” he said.
With Pro Day now over, Joiner joins fellow Bulls in a waiting game — the stretch between their final college workout and the NFL Draft.
The NFL draft will be held in Green Bay, Wisconsin from April 24-26.
### Noah Vinsky, Sports Editor; Mithil Vyas, Staff Writer
Noah Vinsky is the sports editor for The Oracle. He’s a mass communications and psychology dual-major and started writing for The Oracle in the fall of 2022. His focus is on football, men’s basketball and the on-campus stadium development. Reach him at noahjosephvinsky@usf.edu
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