The nation’s No. 1-ranked linebacker found his new home on Tuesday, July 15.
Five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson committed to Texas over Georgia, Oregon and Clemson, announcing the decision live on the Pat McAfee Show.
‘It’s just been a hard process, hard decision (to make) just to pick one school,’ Atkinson said live on the show. ‘I wish I could play for all four schools, but that’s not reality. … I’m just thankful for all of them.’
The 6-foot-2 linebacker attends Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia, where he totaled 166 tackles in 15 games, helping lead his program to a Georgia AAAAAA championship in 2024.
Atkinson is the No. 9-rated player nationally and No. 1 linebacker, according to 247Sports’ Composite rankings. He’s also the No. 1 player in Georgia.
The Longhorns, who had the No. 1-ranked recruiting class nationally last offseason, improved to the No. 8 team ranking with the addition of Atkinson to their 2026 cycle. He’s Texas’ third five-star commit of the class, joining quarterback Dia Bell and edge rusher Richard Wesley.
Atkinson took his final official visit of the summer to Texas on June 20, after also visiting Georgia (June 13), Oregon (June 6) and Clemson (May 30) in consecutive weeks.
Atkinson was the highest-rated uncommitted player of the 2026 class until he chose Texas, now handing off the honors to edge rusher Anthony Jones, the No. 16-ranked player nationally.