Baraka Atkins

Baraka Atkins (born September 28, 1984) is an American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.

Atkins has also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Early years
Atkins attended Booker High School in Sarasota, Florida, where he played mainly strongside defensive end in high school. He was First-team Class 3A all-state selection as a senior, when he recorded 78 tackles and 25 sacks, forced four fumbles, recovered four fumbles (returned one for a TD). As a junior, returned a blocked punt for a touchdown, adding 79 tackles and eight sacks. He also lettered in track and basketball.

College career
At the University of Miami he split time between defensive tackle and end. He played in 49 games, starting 45 times and registered 175 tackles (84 solos), 18 sacks and 29.5 stops for loss and 52 quarterback pressures and nine pass deflections, recovered three fumbles, including one for a touchdown and caused five fumbles. In 2006 as a senior he was honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference after starting 10 games at left defensive end and recorded 49 tackles (22 solos) with four sacks, nine stops for losses and eleven quarterback pressures and recovered a pair of fumbles and deflected two passes. In 2005 as a junior he was a starting defensive tackle playing in all 12 games (11 starts). He finished the season with 50 tackles (25 solo), five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three pass breakups and six QB pressures. In 2004 he started all 12 games at both defensive end and defensive tackle and made 33 total tackles (15 solo), including nine tackles for a loss and 6.5 sacks, forced two fumbles, one of which he returned for a touchdown. He added one pass breakup and had a team-high 19 QB pressures and was voted honorable mention All-ACC. In 2003 he started 12 of the teams 13 games and was Third-team Freshman All-America honors by The Sporting News. He recorded 43 total tackles (22 solo), including 6.5 tackles for a loss, and five sacks and registered a team-high three forced fumbles and was responsible for 16 quarterback hurries. In 2002 he sat out the year with a redshirt season.

Pre-draft
350-pound bench press. 425-pound squat

Seattle Seahawks
Atkins was drafted in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. As a rookie in 2007 Atkins played in 12 games and made 5 tackles. In 2008 he played in 9 games and recorded his first two sacks in the NFL. On September 5, 2009 Atkins was released by Seattle for the final 53 man roster.

San Francisco 49ers
Atkins was signed by the San Francisco 49ers on December 9, 2009 after defensive end Kentwan Balmer was placed on injured reserve. The 49ers waived Atkins on December 22.

Denver Broncos
Atkins was signed by the Denver Broncos on January 14, 2010.

Pittsburgh Steelers
Atkins was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 11, 2011. He was released during final cuts on September 2, 2011.

Dallas Cowboys
Atkins was signed to a futures contract by the Dallas Cowboys on January 10, 2012. He was released on August 31st, 2012.