Colleges

Former Gator found dead

By Times staff, wires
Published July 6, 2007

PORT ORANGE - Former Florida and Bethune-Cookman football player Avery Atkins was found dead in his car in the garage of his aunt's home Thursday in what police called a suspicious death.

The 20-year-old player could not be revived, Port Orange police Sgt. Wayne Dorman said. Authorities would not release further details.

Atkins was a freshman cornerback on the 2005 Gators and was projected to start last season. He was released from his scholarship last summer by coach Urban Meyer because of a domestic battery charge.

Meyer said in a statement the Gators were saddened by news of Atkins' death.

Atkins transferred to B-CC and played in three games in 2006 before being released from his scholarship.

Atkins considered transferring to Florida State last summer. The school had heavily recruited him and he enjoyed a banner game against them in 2005 (his first interception, his first fumble recovery and four tackles). He had a good friend at FSU, quarterback Xavier Lee, a star at Daytona Beach Seabreeze.

"I was shocked and saddened when I heard the news, " Lee said. "It is just sad. I played football with Avery. I knew his family. I am going to go back home for the funeral and pay my respects. "

Atkins attempted to rejoin the Gators this spring, re-enrolling at Florida while paying his own way. Meyer said at the time that wasn't enough to allow his return.

Atkins was arrested Monday and charged with possession of crack cocaine. He also was arrested in June when Daytona Beach police said they found him with cocaine, drug paraphernalia and a concealed weapon. He was charged in May with felony aggravated assault.

BASKETBALL: DeMarre Carroll, a highly regarded transfer and nephew of Missouri coach Mike Anderson, was shot in the ankle early Thursday during a disturbance outside a downtown nightclub. Carroll, 20, a junior forward from Vanderbilt, was treated and released from a hospital.

Times staff writer Brian Landman contributed to this report.

[Last modified July 6, 2007, 10:43:32]