INSIDER: 5-Star Target Breaks Down UGA Football Visit, Meeting With Kirby Smart
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ATHENS - As we reported last week, Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs had some of the nation’s top 2026 prospects on campus over the weekend for a big “Jr. Day” visit.
One of the biggest visitors in town was five-star linebacker, Tyler Atkinson.
The elite defender out of Grayson (GA) is coming off a dominant junior season where he made 166 tackles, 32 TFLs, 13 sacks, one INT, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick, leading the Rams to a big 6A state championship.
Atkinson has been a top Georgia target for years now and is one of the best linebackers to come out of the Peach State in years. He’s easily one of the very best players across the country and broke down his recent UGA visit with Dawg Post.
“Coach Kirby Smart flew in to see me at school Friday morning and we had some really good conversations about different things”, Atkinson said. “They really want me there. Coach Smart and coach Schumann are really great coaches and recruiters because they have been taking time to build a strong relationship with me since I was in 7th grade.”
“After our time on Friday, we spent the day with them on Saturday,” the five-star added. “The impression on my family was great. They gave my mom and dad a lot off details on what me being there would look like. Seeing Kirby and my pops really vibing during the game was dope. I like how they made sure my mom was comfortable and stuff like that was great to me.”
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“It was really good visit overall”, Atkinson continued. “I spent a lot of 1-on-1 time with coach Schumann and coach Kirby yesterday. I have learned something new every visit. UGA has always made me feel like a top priority but they have took it up a few levels.”
It’s easy to see why Georgia has Atkinson at the top of their board. The young man has “superstar” written all over him. He’s a do-it-all linebacker who can play in space, on the edge, and has incredible instincts for the position. He consistently finds his way to the ball and knows how to wrap up and make a big hit on the ball-carrier. He’s outstanding against the run, and he’s without a doubt one of the best natural pass-rushers across the country.
Atkinson may be a “home-grown” prospect, but the Dawgs will have to fight off just about every major program in the country for Atkinson’s services. Several schools have his attention and are making him a top priority as well.
For Atkinson, it’s about continuing to due his research and make the right decision.
“I really prefer not to class anyone as a top contender yet because I’m still chopping down to the top schools I am considering. I plan on dropping a top 5 or 6 soon. When it comes to my final decision, I really want to make sure I get it right because I am going to give that program my all just like I do at Grayson and I want to know that the school I pick will give me their all too.”
A true five-star on and off the field, Atkinson is a guy you can build a program around. A leader. A playmaker. A guy who is going to be extremely successful wherever he ends up.
Look for Kirby Smart to do just about whatever it takes to keep Atkinson close to home. He’s ranked as the No. 1 LB and the No. 9 overall prospect in the country for the 2026 class.