2026 Bearkat Football Signing Class
Roster

Ishmel Atkins
- Height:
- 6-3
- Weight:
- 195
- Incoming Class:
- Redshirt Senior
- Position:
- DB
- Hometown:
- Greensboro, N.C.
- High School / Previous Schools:
- Northern Guilford HS / Elon
Elon
2025 Season
Second team all-CAA selection at cornerback ... ranked second in the CAA with three interceptions ... nine passes defended in his first season at cornerback ...added two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries ... played in all 12 games ... also had 54 total tackles ... had two forced fumbles and recovered a pair of fumblesÂ
2024 Season
Started all 12 games as the team’s Spur ... had a career-high 56 tackles on the season, with 33 being solo. Added five tackles for loss and six passes defended ... third on the team in solo tackles and total tackles, and tied for second in passes defended ... returned a blocked extra point 95 yards for a defensive two-point conversion in the team’s win over Campbell ... had at least two tackles in every game, including a season-high eight against Western Carolina ... had seven tackles, six solo, and a TFL against ETSU ... posted two tackles for loss in a win at William & Mary ... had two pass break-ups and a quarterback hurry against both New Hampshire and Campbell
2023 Season
Played in all 11 games for the Phoenix ... fifth on the team with 46 tackles, of which 24 were solo. Added a tackle for loss and a pass break-up ... twice had a career-best eight tackles in a game, doing so in wins at Campbell and at home against William & Mary ... added seven tackles and his first tackle for loss in the win over Monmouth ... had at least one tackles in 10 games
2022 Season
Played in four games for the Phoenix ... recorded four tackles, three of which were solo ... had a season-high two tackles in a win over UAlbanyÂ
North Guilford HS
Played two seasons of varsity football at Northern Guilford High School ... helped team to a 14-4 record over the past two years, including 9-2 in 2021 ... recorded 80 tackles, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, seven tackles for loss, six pass breakups and four blocked kicks as a senior ... picked up 62 tackles, 13 TFLs, six pass break-ups, two blocked field goals and two forced fumbles as a junior ... as a junior, named all-area, Mid-Piedmont 3A All-Conference and Mid-Piedmont 3A Academic All-Conference ... 2021 All-State Academic Team and all-area ...made the North Carolina High School Football Recruiting Blue Sheet for Academics
Personal
Son of Travis Atkins and Lisa Hemby ... two sisters, Anasha Atkins and Samantha Atkins ... uncle Jordan Hemby played football at North Carolina and spent time with the Indianapolis Colts
2025 Season
Second team all-CAA selection at cornerback ... ranked second in the CAA with three interceptions ... nine passes defended in his first season at cornerback ...added two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries ... played in all 12 games ... also had 54 total tackles ... had two forced fumbles and recovered a pair of fumblesÂ
2024 Season
Started all 12 games as the team’s Spur ... had a career-high 56 tackles on the season, with 33 being solo. Added five tackles for loss and six passes defended ... third on the team in solo tackles and total tackles, and tied for second in passes defended ... returned a blocked extra point 95 yards for a defensive two-point conversion in the team’s win over Campbell ... had at least two tackles in every game, including a season-high eight against Western Carolina ... had seven tackles, six solo, and a TFL against ETSU ... posted two tackles for loss in a win at William & Mary ... had two pass break-ups and a quarterback hurry against both New Hampshire and Campbell
2023 Season
Played in all 11 games for the Phoenix ... fifth on the team with 46 tackles, of which 24 were solo. Added a tackle for loss and a pass break-up ... twice had a career-best eight tackles in a game, doing so in wins at Campbell and at home against William & Mary ... added seven tackles and his first tackle for loss in the win over Monmouth ... had at least one tackles in 10 games
2022 Season
Played in four games for the Phoenix ... recorded four tackles, three of which were solo ... had a season-high two tackles in a win over UAlbanyÂ
North Guilford HS
Played two seasons of varsity football at Northern Guilford High School ... helped team to a 14-4 record over the past two years, including 9-2 in 2021 ... recorded 80 tackles, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, seven tackles for loss, six pass breakups and four blocked kicks as a senior ... picked up 62 tackles, 13 TFLs, six pass break-ups, two blocked field goals and two forced fumbles as a junior ... as a junior, named all-area, Mid-Piedmont 3A All-Conference and Mid-Piedmont 3A Academic All-Conference ... 2021 All-State Academic Team and all-area ...made the North Carolina High School Football Recruiting Blue Sheet for Academics
Personal
Son of Travis Atkins and Lisa Hemby ... two sisters, Anasha Atkins and Samantha Atkins ... uncle Jordan Hemby played football at North Carolina and spent time with the Indianapolis Colts
FB: 2026 Transfer Portal Press Conference
Wednesday, February 11
FB: 2026 Signing Day Press Conference
Wednesday, February 04
FB: Press Conference following FIU
Saturday, November 29
FB: Phil Longo Weekly Press Conference FIU
Tuesday, November 25














































