While Georgia coach Kirby Smart is busy navigating through SEC Media Days, he has received a major setback. The five-star linebacker and the best-rated player in Georgia, Tyler Atkinson, has chosen to join the Arch Manning-led Texas Longhorns over the Bulldogs.
Atkinson announced his decision live on “The Pat McAfee Show”. He picked Texas over Georgia, Oregon and Clemson.
“For the next 3-4 years, I’ll be attending University of Texas,” the linebacker said live on the show. “It’s just been a hard process, hard decision (to make) just to pick one school. I wish I could play for all four schools, but that’s not reality. … I’m just thankful for all of them.”
BREAKING NEWS: "I will be attending the University of Texas" ~ @Tyler16Atkinson #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/PxZPgwA08y
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 15, 2025
The linebacker also made his decision known through a hype video on Instagram.
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With Atkinson’s addition to Texas’ Class of 2026 recruiting, the program has improved to No. 8 team ranking. He becomes Steve Sarkisian’s third five-star commit, joining quarterback Dia Bell and edge rusher Richard Wesley.
Everything to know about Tyler Atkinson who chose Texas over Georgia
The 6-foot-2 linebacker is from Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia. Tyler Atkinson is the No. 9 overall player in the country, the top player in Georgia and the top linebacker, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
Last season, he led his school to a Georgia 6A championship, where he tallied 166 tackles in 15 games. In his junior year, he recorded 166 tackles, 32 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. Over three varsity seasons, he has compiled 475 tackles, 79 TFLs and 31.5 sacks.
The linebacker had over 50 offers from top programs, including Georgia, Texas, Clemson, Oregon, Ohio State, Alabama, Tennessee, Auburn, LSU, Florida State and more. But he narrowed down his list to four: Georgia, Texas, Oregon and Clemson.
Atkinson made his final official visit to Texas on June 20. He previously visited Georgia (June 13), Oregon (June 6) and Clemson (May 30) in consecutive weeks.
“The Longhorns are focused on building something special,” Atkinson told On3’s Hayes Fawcett following his visit to Sarkisian’s program. “Coach Sark took the lead of my recruitment as his own priority. I feel like their No. 1 draft pick, which brings a lot of pressure and challenges. That alone offers a next level of preparation for the next level of competition. I can see myself being guided to greatness there.”
After Atkinson’s recruitment concludes with a commitment to the Longhorns, the next best prospect in the Class of 2026, who is still uncommitted, is edge rusher Anthony Jones, the No. 16-ranked player nationally.
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