Texas signs No. 1 LB Tyler Atkinson

Lawrenceville (Ga.) Grayson five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson has signed with the Texas Longhorns.

Committed to Steve Sarkisian and Co. since July 15, Atkinson helps headline another top-10 recruiting class on The Forty Acres. He’s now the No. 19 overall prospect and top-ranked LB in the 2026 cycle, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all major recruiting media companies.

Atkinson’s recruitment was in the spotlight for some time. He took full advantage of his process and saw just about every national powerhouse on multiple occasions. Eventually, he whittled his list of top schools down to four.

Georgia, the local program, was viewed as the favorite for a big chunk of Atkinson’s recruitment. Both Clemson and Oregon garnered buzz at various points, too, but Texas took the biggest swing late. The Longhorns got the last official visit and eventually swiped the momentum just days before he revealed his decision.

“My OV to Texas was eye-opening,” Atkinson previously told Rivals’ Chad Simmons. “This could be my last visit before I make the right choice, and I really feel it was a great decision to visit there. This was my fourth visit with the Longhorns outside of pretty much living in Austin the past month for training.”

He re-affirmed his pledge when speaking with Rivals’ Steve Wiltfong in September: “I am just excited about the opportunities there and I feel we’re going to do something special. There are a few players I hope I can get to join me once I get there.”

Atkinson has had an illustrious high school career for Grayson, one of the top programs in the nation. He’s got over 550 tackles to his name across four seasons for the Rams.

Texas has a trio of five-stars in its 2026 class. Quarterback Dia Bell is the No. 8 overall prospect, while EDGE Richard Wesley checks in at No. 13 overall. The Longhorns have seven top-100 prospects in the fold overall.

Tyler Atkinson Scouting Summary

Rivals’ Scouting and Rankings Team writes this of Atkinson as a prospect:

“Dominant high school linebacker who plays with outstanding instincts and physicality. Measured at around 6-foot-2, 210 pounds with arms a shade over 31 inches. A star linebacker playing at a powerhouse program in Georgia’s highest classification. Flies around the field like a man possessed. Wins with his elite motor and willingness to throw his body around. Sees plays quickly and triggers downhill in a split second. At his best when he has the runway to see and pursue the football. Plays with an enforcer’s edge. Finished his junior season with 166 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and one interception in 15 games. Measurables, both dimensions and combine testing, are not those of a typical elite linebacker prospect. Will need to get bigger and stronger to hold up at the point of attack against college linemen. A high-floor prospect due to his instincts and track record against top competition.”