Sunday, August 9, 2026
Courtesy of CU Athletics
Position
Tight End
Height
6'4"
Weight
240 lbs
Hometown
Olathe, Kan.
High School
Blue Valley Southwest / Northwest Missouri State
Seasons at CU
Zach Atkins joined Colorado ahead of the 2025 season after developing from an overlooked high school receiver into a standout tight end at Northwest Missouri State.
For the Olathe, Kansas, native, playing for Colorado fulfilled a childhood dream. Atkins attended games as a fan before ever imagining himself on the field at Folsom and described finally becoming a Buff as surreal.
His football personality mixes confidence with an emphasis on consistency. Atkins openly says catching touchdowns is what he does best, but he has also embraced the blocking responsibilities of the position and talks often about earning teammates’ trust through dependable play.
A Chiefs fan, Atkins studies Brock Bowers despite the divisional-rival problem that creates. His route from Division II football to Boulder has left him appreciative of the opportunity, but not intimidated by it: once he arrived, his mindset became simply, “it’s time to show up.”
Source: CU Athletics
August 6, 2026
August 2, 2026
July 31, 2026
July 8, 2026
