The No. 1 Linebacker Takes Major Career Decision This Week
Tyler Atkinson, the No. 1 linebacker in On3's Industry Rankings for the Class of 2026, hasn't revealed his commitment yet, and coaches want to recruit him.
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Kirby Smart and his staff will have their first true crack at selling 'Dawg Nation' in person this weekend. Atkinson announced that he will officially visit Athens. He feels a close connection with the program.
'It feels like I grew up at UGA because of all the camps and visits I've been to over the years since I was younger,' he said to Hayes Fawcett of On3.
As a junior at Grayson High, Atkinson exploded for 166 tackles, 32 tackles-for-loss and 13 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception.
Georgia Bulldogs head football coach Kirby Smart© Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Atkinson just made an official visit to Oregon, which was every bit as exceptional as he imagined it would be.
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'Oregon was everything I imagined it would be,' Atkinson told On3's Steve Wiltfong after the trip. 'It was just like the coaches had described. Coach Lanning and the entire staff showed me exactly how much they wanted me to be a part of their program and team … The way Oregon embraced and supported my personal brand, 'AtkNup', is next level. They definitely have a plan!'
The Georgia Bulldogs lead On3's predictions with a 34.1% chance of landing him. Based on Atkinson's comments, it could very well become the program he joins.
'It's going to be good to get an OV there and talk to the coaches,' Atkinson said. 'I mean, just learn more and talk to them and go from there.'
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'It's just about me going there and just seeing it again and just being around the coaches and just seeing the energy and everything,' Atkinson said. 'Then, what's next is like whatever happens, happens.'
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
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