Baraka Atkins Baraka Atkins ( born September 28 , 1984 ) is an American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys . He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft . He played college football at the University of Miami . Atkins has also played for the San Francisco 49ers , Denver Broncos , and Pittsburgh Steelers . Early years . Atkins attended Booker High School in Sarasota , Florida , where he played mainly strongside defensive end in high school . He was First - team Class 3A all - state selection as a senior , when he recorded 78 tackles and 25 sacks , forced four fumbles , recovered four fumbles ( returned one for a TD ) . As a junior , returned a blocked punt for a touchdown , adding 79 tackles and eight sacks . He also lettered in track and basketball . College career . At the University of Miami he split time between defensive tackle and end . 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 . In 2005 as a junior he was a starting defensive tackle playing in all 12 games ( 11 starts ) . He finished the season with 50 tackles ( 25 solo ) , five tackles for loss , 2 . 5 sacks , three pass breakups and six QB pressures . In 2004 he started all 12 games at both defensive end and defensive tackle and made 33 total tackles ( 15 solo ) , including nine tackles for a loss and 6 . 5 sacks , forced two fumbles , one of which he returned for a touchdown . 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 teams 13 games and was Third - team Freshman All - America honors by The Sporting News . He recorded 43 total tackles ( 22 solo ) , including 6 . 5 tackles for a loss , and five sacks and registered a team - high three forced fumbles and was responsible for 16 quarterback hurries . In 2002 he sat out the year with a redshirt season . Professional career . Pre - draft . 350 - pound bench press . 425 - pound squat Seattle Seahawks . Atkins was drafted in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks . As a rookie in 2007 Atkins played in 12 games and made 5 tackles . In 2008 he played in 9 games and recorded his first two sacks in the NFL . On September 5 , 2009 Atkins was released by Seattle for the final 53 man roster . San Francisco 49ers . Atkins was signed by the San Francisco 49ers on December 9 , 2009 after defensive end Kentwan Balmer was placed on injured reserve . The 49ers waived Atkins on December 22 . Denver Broncos . Atkins was signed by the Denver Broncos on January 14 , 2010 . Pittsburgh Steelers . Atkins was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 11 , 2011 . He was released during final cuts on September 2 , 2011 . Dallas Cowboys . Atkins was signed to a futures contract by the Dallas Cowboys on January 10 , 2012 . He was released on August 31st , 2012 .