Xenith signs Class of 2026 star Tyler Atkinson to company's first NIL deal
Xenith – a leader in football helmet and shoulder pad technology – signed four-star Lawrenceville (Georgia) Grayson High School linebacker Tyler Atkinson to the company’s first NIL deal.
Atkinson ranks as the No. 15 overall prospect in the country, according to the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking. He’s also the second-ranked linebacker and the fourth-best recruit in Georgia, according to the ranking. He has a long list of national-level offers with Georgia, Alabama, Florida State, Auburn, LSU and Tennessee listed as his top schools, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine.
Atkinson will work with Xenith to create his own “AtknUp” sub-brand within the company. The company says the partnership showcases “the synergy between Atkinson’s vision and Xenith’s expertise” as a football equipment company.
“AtknUp with Xenith feels like a reward for the countless hours and effort I’ve put into football,” Atkinson said in a statement. “It underscores that dedication and a strong focus on your craft can open up incredible doors.”
Xenith CEO Tony Saunders said Atkinson is the perfect partner for the company’s first NIL agreement.
“Tyler’s remarkable character, supported by his family and his creative flair on the field, really stood out to us,” Saunders said. “Inspiring and supporting the next generation of athletes is a core value at Xenith, and Tyler exemplifies this.”
Georgia HS athletes can engage in NIL
The Georgia High School Association amended its bylaws in October to allow high school student-athletes to participate in NIL deals without losing their eligibility. With the change, 34 local athletic associations now allow student-athletes to participate in NIL activities without forfeiting playing high school sports.
Tyler Atkinson joins fellow 2026 Georgia prep star Julian Lewis as one of the first high-profile recruits to dive into the NIL space. Lewis worked with Everest Sports Marketing to sign a major NIL deal with Leaf Trading Cards shortly after the GHSA policy change. Lewis, who is now working with Athletes First for NIL representation, also has an NIL agreement with jewelry brand Jaxxon.
Atkinson’s parents were supportive of the partnership with Xenith.
“We feel immense pride in Tyler’s achievements,” Victor and Laura Atkinson, Tyler’s parents, said. “It’s a vivid reminder that commitment and passion in your pursuits can truly open doors to exceptional opportunities. This moment is not just a milestone for Tyler but a beacon of inspiration for all young athletes striving toward their dreams.”
Tyler Atkinson has an On3 NIL Valuation of $108,000, a number that will continue to climb as he continues through his high school career.
The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets the standard market NIL value for high school and college athletes. A proprietary algorithm, the On3 NIL Valuation calculates an athlete’s NIL value using dynamic data points targeting three primary categories: performance, influence and exposure.
About On3 NIL Valuation, Brand Value, Roster Value
While the algorithm includes deal data, it does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals athletes have completed to date, nor does it set an athlete’s NIL valuation for their entire career.
Latest with Tyler Atkinson’s recruitment
Tyler Atkinson, who earned MaxPreps Freshman All-America honors in 2022 and has already set new school records for tackles in 2023, recently took an unofficial visit to Tennessee and was at the Iron Bowl this past weekend.
“Tennessee is my home, I was born here, so I just needed to get back and come visit,” Atkinson told Volquest after the trip. “The atmosphere was amazing,” he said. “It was really good. You could see all of the fans are still bought into them. It was a great experience.”
Atkinson also gave rave reviews for a trip he took to Athens earlier this season. “I got the chance to catch up with the coaches and some of the players,” he told DawgsHQ. “The energy of the fans always gets me fired up, and the fact that UGA always finds a way to win also stood out. The staff is awesome. They all show me a lot of love and give me great advice, too.”