Atkins has also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Dallas Cowboys.
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.
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 team's 13 games and was Third-team Freshman All-America honors by The Sporting News.
Atkins was signed by the San Francisco 49ers on December 9, 2009, after defensive end Kentwan Balmer was placed on injured reserve.