Wide receiver set program records for receiving yards and catches in a season
TAMPA, Nov. 29, 2023 – Record-breaking receiver Sean Atkins’ (Viera) selection to the American All-Conference Second Team led five Bulls that earned postseason recognition from conference coaches Wednesday when the American Athletic Conference announced postseason award winners for football.
Atkins was joined by All-AAC Honorable-mention selections in offensive guard Zane Herring (Madison), cornerback Aamaris Brown-Bunkley (Tampa), defensive tackle Rashad Cheney (Atlanta) and linebacker Jhalyn Shuler (Abbeville, S.C.).
Defending conference champion Tulane had three individual award winners as quarterback Michael Pratt was named as The American's Offensive Player of the Year, running back Makhi Hughes was chosen as Rookie of the Year and head coach Willie Fritz was tabbed as Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season. UTSA linebacker Trey Moore was the choice of the head coaches as Defensive Player of the Year.
Atkins, a former walk-on who was a semifinalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, shattered USF season receptions and receiving yards records as he logged 86 catches for 961 yards and five touchdowns through the Bulls’ 12 regular season games. Atkins ranked No. 2 in the AAC (No. 7 nationally) in receptions per game (7.2) and No. 6 in the AAC (28thnationally) in receiving yards per game (80.1). He also went 3-of-3 on pass attempts for 128 yards and a 62-yard touchdown, picked up 37 yards rushing and returned 16 punts for a 4.4 return average. He had two 100-yard receiving games, led by a 169-yard day vs. Temple, and his 88-yard touchdown reception at Navy was the second-longest in the AAC on the year.
Brown-Bunkley ranked eighth on the Bulls with 37 tackles and added two interceptions, three pass break-ups, two tackles for loss and a sack while starting all 12 games.
Cheney led all Bulls defensive linemen and was seventh overall for USF posting 39 tackles and added seven tackles for loss, two quarterback hurries and a half sack as he started 11 games.
Shuler led all Bulls with 85 tackles on the year and ranked No. 11 in the AAC posting 7.08 tackles per game. He led USF in tackles in five games and added seven tackles for loss, two sacks, four pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and forced a fumble. He also scooped up a fumbled snap on a PAT attempt at Navy and ran 80 yards for two points that maintained a 23-20 USF lead in an eventual victory.
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