Sports stats



IFL Bay Area Panthers

Championship Winning DB Atkins Signs with Bay Area

January 10, 2023 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Bay Area Panthers News Release


The Panthers continue to bring in championship DNA with the signing of defensive back Bill Atkins, who comes to the Bay Area after winning an IFL title with Northern Arizona.

"The pitch to me is that it's another opportunity to be on a team building something from the ground up," said Atkins. "It's another opportunity for me to get film since I hadn't played since 2020 before last year. I view this as another chance to get more film and pursue my goals and use this film. I always wanted to live in California, too. So now I have an opportunity to do that."

Like many players, Atkins was denied a chance to showcase his skills at a pro day because of the COVID pandemic after his career at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He played safety for the Bulldogs for three years, earning all-conference honors and was a team captain as a senior.

Atkins was first connected to the IFL when Rob Keefe, then with the Iowa Barnstormers, reached out in 2019. Keefe made a pitch again in 2021 with Northern Arizona. This time, Atkins took the leap of faith. He was rewarded by being a key piece of championship defense after learning the nuances of the indoor game.

"With a lot of young teams, it was a race to see which coach could teach their athletes the fastest-which players could pick up the rules the fastest," said Atkins. "We were able to do that. Coach Keefe and Coach Moss did a good job of teaching us."

Atkins played the "Money" position, which is the equivalent of the nickel back in the outdoor game. He is required to be good in coverage while also being able tackle in the box and fill gaps.

Although he's relocating, Atkins will be surrounded by familiar faces, joining several former Wranglers to make the move to Northern California.

"It's going to be a great experience. I had a good time working with those guys and it helps making the transition to a new team a little smoother with them around me."

In the offseason, Atkins works as a sports performance coach at a facility called The Training Haus that is connected to the Minnesota Vikings practice facility. They work with athletes ranging from eight-year-olds to professionals.

"All the guys there are back from school and finishing up their bowl games to start their training," said Atkins. "It's kind of like working with shapeless clay. Every day, you're chipping away to try and build this masterpiece. So, that's super rewarding at the end when those guys go to the combine or their pro days.

The IFL experience is another opportunity to get film and make an impression. Atkins has a clear vision on what he needs to take his game to the next level.

"Staying consistent and playing fast," said Atkins. "I show spurts of great speed to the ball, great breaks and making tackles in the box... A lot of times, it took me awhile to get started earlier in the season. I was just getting back and getting my feet under me. Being consistent from start to finish is what I've heard as the feedback that I can work on."



Indoor Football League Stories from January 10, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central