AUSTIN, Texas - George Atkinson III and his twin
Josh were bantering as they are prone to do – about football, an endless topic in the family.
George is a threat to score every
time he touches the ball.
Photo by Jim Redman
Considering dad George is a former NFL defensive back it all makes sense. The
Granada (Livermore, Calif.) duo had just finished the Under-19 National team's first practice on Sunday in preparation for Wednesday's second annual USA vs. the World Game at Westlake High School.
"I wasn't even trying to block you," George III said. "If I was you'd be feeling it."
Said Josh: "You were trying and like always you couldn't touch me."
Said George: "Whatever."
Within the time it takes each to run 40 yards – about 4.4 seconds – both were sincerely stating what a special week this is. Play time was over.
* To represent their country against a World team that consists of players from four continents. "I never thought I'd do that in a football game," George said.
Josh Atkinson is an athletic, speedy
cornerback.
Photo by Jim Redman
* To both sign letters of intents to Notre Dame on Wednesday morning – National Signing Day - hours before the game. Both said their commitments to South Bend are lock solid. "It's Notre Dame all the way," Josh said.
* To play their last high school football game together, a fact they seemed proud about. It's also the last high school football competition-exhibition of the season.
"That makes it kind of perfect, " George said. "Wouldn't want it any other way."
As large an impact each has had on the gridiron the last three years - George is
No. 83 on CBS Sports/MaxPreps Top 100 list and Josh is the
nation's 25th-ranked cornerback - and the track (both reached the state finals), their legacy may be their good nature and brotherhood.
"Both are game breaking type athletes with a very high ceiling," said CBS/MaxPreps recruiting expert Tom Lemming. "And what absolute great kids. A real joy to be around."
George was a running back, returner and safety at Granada last season and earned first-team All-Metro by The San Francisco Chronicle. He accounted for 2,347 yards and 24 touchdowns.
Blessed with good hands and blinding speed - he finished third in the state-meet 100-meters as a sophomore before pulling a hamstring late last season - George is playing receiver for Team USA, a position he'll likely play at Notre Dame.
"I'm feeling more and more comfortable at the spot," George said.
It's helped that he's been training against his brother forever, but especially since last summer when the two really made strides on the gridiron.
Josh Atkinson
Photo by Jim Redman
"What better way to get better than go against (Josh)," George said.
Auburn-bound and USA quarterback
Kiehl Frazier said George's athletcism is off the charts. That's saying something considering Frazier has been compared to a young Cam Newton.
"All three of us quarterbacks had to adjust to respect his speed," Newton said. "He's a tremendous talent. I'm sure he'll have a great career."
Right now they're just focused on bettering the deep talent pool at practice before tangling with the great unknown - the World Team.
"Everything here is a little faster and everyone here plays at a higher level," Josh said. "It's getting us all ready for The World."
In more ways than one.
