The Raiders announced their list of 11 undrafted rookie free agent signings on Friday and the first name on it is a familiar one to longtime Raiders fans.
George Atkinson patrolled the back end of the Raiders defense for a decade, winning a Super Bowl and earning enmity in Pittsburgh for concussing Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann more than once. After he was done playing, Atkinson had a son who went on to play running back for Notre Dame and now George Atkinson III has signed with his dad’s former team.
Atkinson III left Notre Dame early and was suspended for the team’s Pinstripe Bowl appearance after last season for, according to Atkinson III, tweeting during a team dinner. He ran for 943 yards during his time in South Bend and scored 10 touchdowns while also seeing time as a kickoff returner. The Raiders also signed former Texas wide receiver Mike Davis, who ranks in the Longhorn’s all-time top five in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches.
The Raiders also signed Virginia Tech wide receiver D.J. Coles, Winston-Salem State linebacker Carlos Fields, San Jose State wide receiver Noel Grigsby, Montana tackle Dan Kistler, Delaware tackle Erie Ladson, Utah tight end Jake Murphy, West Alabama wide receiver Seth Roberts, Assumption tight end Scott Simonson and Utah fullback Karl Williams.