The Georgia Bulldogs and coach Kirby Smart are always on the hunt for five-star recruits. The Dawgs recently missed out on five-star offensive tackle Jackson Cantwell, who is the top-ranked recruit in the nation. So what is next for Georgia recruiting?
The Bulldogs’ next five-star recruiting target is Grayson High School (Loganville, Georgia) linebacker Tyler Atkinson. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker is the top ranked player at his position in the country and the top recruit in Georgia. Atkinson is the No. 9 recruit in the nation, per 247Sports.
Georgia has done an elite job of landing top linebacker recruits year-in and year-out. The 2026 recruiting class is expected to be no different. Georgia co-defensive coordinators Glenn Schumann and Travaris Robinson recently visited with Atkinson. The trio got dinner together as Atkinson noted via social media.
We had a great time at dinner! #Dawgfood#AtkNup#NOW@CoachSchuUGA@Coach_TRob@KirbySmartUGA@RustyMansell_@GeorgiaFootball@DawgNation@jeffsentell@MattDeBary@grayson_fb@ChadSimmons_@TomLoy247@samspiegs@UGAAthleticspic.twitter.com/lrslRoFwWb
— Tyler Atkinson (@Tyler16Atkinson) May 16, 2025
Cantwell’s commitment to Miami could help free up some additional name, image and likeness money for Georgia to offer Atkinson. The Bulldogs are already projected to land a commitment from the five-star linebacker.
Atkinson is a versatile player. Similar to former Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker, who was a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, Atkinson can line up as an edge rusher or as an inside linebacker. He has excellent closing speed and has posted unreal statistics at Grayson.
The elite linebacker prospect helped Grayson win a 6A state championship in Georgia during the 2024 season. 6A is the highest classification of high school football in the Peach State.
In 2024, Atkinson posted 166 tackles, 13 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. Atkinson showed out in Grayson’s state title win with 13 tackles and two sacks. He’s posted at least 100 tackles and eight sacks in all three seasons of his high school career. Atkinson is set to have a monster senior season.
Georgia is going to continue recruiting Atkinson hard in hopes of landing a commitment from the rising senior. Georgia recruits linebackers better than any other college football program in the country and is prioritizing the in-state standout.
This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Grayson star LB is Georgia football’s top five-star recruiting target