Get to know 2026 signee and five-star LB Tyler Atkinson
Whether you’re a diehard recruiting aficionado in need of a refresher or a casual recruiting fan needing only the particulars, this will be the series for you.
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The first national signing day for college football is Wednesday, December 3. This series will give you the chance to familiarize yourself with the next class charged with keeping Texas near the top of the college football world.
To win at a consistently high level requires talented class after talented class. The top-10 2026 class does that following a No. 1 class in 2025.
On the first national signing day, Inside Texas will offer profiles of each member of the 2026 signing class. Up next, Tyler Atkinson.
The Player: Tyler Atkinson, LB, Loganville (Ga.) Grayson
The Rating: 97.04 (five-star)
The Ranking: Atkinson is the No. 19 overall prospect, the No. 1 linebacker, and the No. 2 player in Georgia in the Rivals Industry Ranking. Rivals ranks Atkinson as the No. 47 overall prospect, the No. 2 linebacker, and the No. 2 player in Georgia.
Top 10
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National Signing Day
Intel, updates, commitments
- 2Breaking
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Expected to be named USF HC
- 3
NIL Battles
Recruits that cashed in
- 4
NSD Matters
HS recruiting still wins titles
- 5Hot
Kansas State head coach
Chris Klieman to retire
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The Highlights:
The Recruitment: Once thought to stay in-state and play for the Georgia Bulldogs, Atkinson’s journey to Austin began with a UOV where UT dropped a battle with Georgia at home. A few months later, Atkinson followed that by living and working out with Texas LBs Anthony Hill and former LB Derrick Johnson. It was after that when the Horns looked like the leader. After his verbal pledge to Texas, he stayed tried and true, thwarting a late push from Ohio State.
The Quote: “My OV to Texas was eye-opening. 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 …I have made some great connections there for sure. Coach Sark and the entire staff made me feel like a priority and that I could be a key piece to the defense. I feel really good about Texas, and they are one of my top schools to consider.”
The Projection: 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.
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The Final Word: Texas knew it had to replace Hill Jr after this season. Who better to step into Johnny Nansen‘s LB room than the nation’s best? This was an NIL recruitment handled very professionally by all parties. He’ll enroll at Texas next month.
