{"id":2528,"date":"2026-07-12T12:36:43","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T12:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coloradospringsmoverss.com\/?p=2528"},"modified":"2026-07-12T12:36:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T12:36:43","slug":"colorado-tight-end-zach-atkins-aims-to-play-key-role-in-offense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coloradospringsmoverss.com\/?p=2528","title":{"rendered":"Colorado tight end Zach Atkins aims to play key role in offense"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Conference football media day is often the first event that signals the start of the next season being around the corner.<\/p>\n

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Attending Big 12 media day in Frisco, Texas, on Tuesday certainly had Colorado tight end Zach Atkins ready to go.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust being in this atmosphere makes me want to go hit the field right now and run some routes,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m really excited for camp and everything, and these next few weeks are going to be really critical for me to just to get my body really primed and ready to go for the season.\u201d<\/p>\n

There are several reasons for CU fans to be intrigued by the possibilities on offense this year, from new coordinator Brennan Marion installing his Go-Go scheme to five-star quarterback JuJu Lewis potentially taking over as starter, and a host of talent at running back and receiver.<\/p>\n

Atkins, however, could have a big impact in his second season with the Buffaloes.<\/p>\n

A year ago, the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Atkins caught 20 passes for 149 yards in his first season in Boulder. This year, he\u2019s hoping to have even more opportunities to catch the ball.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to talk too much about myself, but there\u2019s not a lot of tight ends that are as fast and with my speed and my hands, to be honest, in the country,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s the way I feel, and I\u2019m definitely going to go show it this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Prior to coming to CU, Atkins played three seasons at Northwest Missouri State, catching 30 passes for 360 yards and four touchdowns. After a good season last year in Boulder, he comes into this year excited about the potential he has in Marion\u2019s offense.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI love it. It\u2019s been unbelievable trying to learn (the offense),\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m still working on it. There\u2019s still a lot of stuff going on with it, but coach Marion has been unbelievable in putting me in situations to be successful. Sometimes I\u2019ll line up out wide at X, sometimes I\u2019ll be in the backfield. So, you guys are going to see a lot of different stuff from me this year. Kind of the Swiss Army Knife in the offense. I\u2019ll do everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

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CU hasn\u2019t utilized the tight end much in recent years, but Atkins sees potential in the entire group.<\/p>\n

Atkins said of Northern Colorado transfer Fisher Clements: \u201cI\u2019ve been really proud of his growth since he got here.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that junior walk-on Charlie Williams could have a breakout season.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe hasn\u2019t been healthy, but he\u2019s back to healthy now and going to have a really big season,\u201d Atkins said. \u201cI really believe in him, and he\u2019s come a long way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Former walk-on Brady Kopetz is a leader and key blocker, while redshirt freshmen Zayne DeSouza and Corbin Laisure continue to develop, along with true freshman Ben Gula.<\/p>\n

It all starts with Atkins, though. He\u2019s got talent to be a receiving threat, but is also a leader and made an impression on head coach Deion Sanders with his toughness.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a tight end here that\u2019s tough as I don\u2019t know what,\u201d Sanders said. \u201cLast year, I can remember him getting a stinger against somebody and didn\u2019t want to come off the field. We had to make him come off the durn field to recalibrate him and get him together to make sure he\u2019s OK.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019ll be tough to get Atkins off the field this year, too, as he looks to have a big impact on the offense, as well as on the entire team, all while continuing his development as he eyes a future in the NFL.<\/p>\n

\u201c(Going to the NFL) is obviously the end goal, but I\u2019m only worried about week to week,\u201d he said. \u201cJust whatever it takes to win. The more that we win, the more successful I\u2019ll be. That\u2019s my only worry is go 1-0 every week.\u201d<\/p>\n

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