Georgia to host 5-star LB Tyler Atkinson for key official visit this weekend

Five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson, the top-rated player at his position in the 2026 class, is set to make his official visit to Georgia this weekend. A standout at powerhouse Grayson High School in Loganville, Atkinson has been on the radar of Kirby Smart’s staff since he was in the eighth grade. Despite Grayson being located just down the road from Athens, the Bulldogs have historically struggled to land top prospects from the program. But this time around, Georgia is making a full-court press to keep the elite linebacker home.

NEWS: Five-Star LB Tyler Atkinson will take an Official Visit to Georgia this weekend, he tells me for @on3recruits

“It feels like I grew up at UGA because of all the camps and visits I’ve been to over the years since I was younger.”https://t.co/TXMdmX9QhY pic.twitter.com/51LB421dXf

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 11, 2025

Atkinson’s relationship with Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann is central to the Dawgs’ pursuit. Schumann, who also oversees the inside linebackers, has been one of the most consistent figures in Atkinson’s recruitment. The trust and familiarity built over several years could prove pivotal as national powers like Alabama, Oregon, Texas, Tennessee, and Ohio State push to lure the Georgia native out of state. Atkinson has often spoken highly of Schumann’s track record, pointing to his role in developing three Butkus Award winners: Roquan Smith, Nakobe Dean, and Jalon Walker.

The pitch from Smart and Schumann isn’t just about development. Georgia has built a reputation for producing NFL-ready defenders, and Atkinson is being recruited to be the next in that line. As a junior, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound defender put together a monster season, helping lead Grayson to a 6A state title. His production, over 160 tackles, more than 30 tackles for loss, double-digit sacks, and numerous quarterback pressures, speaks to his elite instincts and athleticism.

What makes this visit especially significant is the timing and location. Georgia has long been viewed as one of the favorites in Tyler Atkinson’s recruitment, and bringing him to Athens for an official visit gives the coaching staff another chance to cement that position. He has already taken official visits to schools like Clemson and Oregon, and more may follow. However, this weekend presents Georgia with a critical opportunity to showcase its culture and development pipeline, as well as the chance to be the face of the next wave of Bulldog linebackers.

For Smart, landing Atkinson wouldn’t just be a significant win on the recruiting trail, but it would be a symbolic one. Bringing a five-star talent from Grayson into the fold would signal that Georgia is not only the dominant force nationally but also one that is now closing the borders at home, including a historically challenging place to recruit Dawgs from.