Five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson of Loganville, Georgia stunned followers of college football recruiting by announcing Monday afternoon that he's committing live on the Pat McAfee Show Tuesday.
Atkinson moved up his announcement just five days after coming out with a final four of Texas, Clemson, Georgia and Oregon. He's 6-2, 210, the No. 1 linebacker in the country and the No. 9 prospect in the 247 Composite for 2026.
While it's exciting to be included in the final group for such a premier prospect, the kind of impact player at linebacker Dan Lanning needs to craft a national championship defense, Georgia has been recruiting the elite Peach State star since 8th grade.
He's visited the Georgia campus 16 times, a recruit so important that Kirby Smart's mother attended the dinner on his last visit.
BREAKING: Five-Star LB Tyler Atkinson will announce his Commitment tomorrow live on the Pat McAfee Show, he tells me for @rivals
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 14, 2025
The No. 1 LB in the ‘26 Class will choose between Clemson, Georgia, Oregon, & Texashttps://t.co/pnxd0NmN0T pic.twitter.com/ozJ3PEuCeD
Atkinson had great things to say about Oregon after visiting on June 6. He told Steve Wlltfong of On3 Sports,
“Oregon was everything I imagined it would be. 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!”
Atkinson posted 13 sacks and 166 tackles as a junior, leading his team to the AAAAAA Georgia State Championship. He's violent and mobile with exceptional reflexes and instincts, an advanced understanding of the game. Watching him read, react and pursue you immediately see how serious he is about his goal of making it to the NFL.
Four-star linebacker Nick Abrams announces Wednesday, deciding between Michigan, Georgia and Oregon. The major recruiting websites have both players going to Georgia, winners of two recent national championships who've sent a half dozen linebackers to the first round of the NFL draft.
Late plot twist: Monday evening Wiltfong and fellow On3 analyst Chad Simmons changed their prediction.
NEW: Rivals’ @ChadSimmons_ and @SWiltfong_ have logged expert predictions for Texas to land No. 1 LB Tyler Atkinson🤘
— Rivals (@Rivals) July 14, 2025
Atkinson is set to announce his commitment tomorrow.
Read: https://t.co/WygF8tB7Xb pic.twitter.com/Zy07y082gS