Kirby Smart and Georgia Bulldogs inching closer to securing top linebacker recruit
Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs may have missed out on top prospect Jackson Cantwell, but there’s still plenty of elite talent from the 2026 class they could secure, including five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson. In fact, according to On3's Chad Simmons Georgia is the favorite to land Atkins over the Auburn Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes, Oregon, and […]
Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs may have missed out on top prospect Jackson Cantwell, but there’s still plenty of elite talent from the 2026 class they could secure, including five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson.
In fact, according to On3's Chad Simmons Georgia is the favorite to land Atkins over the Auburn Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes, Oregon, and several other schools.
“Auburn, Ohio State, Oregon and others, but I will still say Georgia for now," Simmons wrote. "This race is tight, and there are still some big discussions to be had on both sides of this recruitment, but it starts with the home-state school.
"Ohio State has really come on strong and closed the gap in a big way over the last few months.”
Atkinson is widely regarded as one of the top defensive prospects in the 2026 recruiting class. The 6-foot-2 and 210-pound linebacker out of Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia, has consistently demonstrated exceptional athleticism and leadership both on and off the field.
In his junior season, Atkinson led Grayson to a 14-1 record and a GHSA Class 6A state championship. He amassed 166 total tackles, including 32 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, one forced fumble, and an interception. His performance has drawn comparisons to NFL standout Roquan Smith, highlighting his potential to anchor a defense at the collegiate level
Atkinson's outstanding play has earned him top rankings across major recruiting platforms. He is rated as the No. 1 linebacker and a top-10 overall prospect nationally in the 2026 recruiting class.
Georgia Bulldogs 2026 Commits
Right now, the Bulldogs have nine players committed to their recruiting class of 2026:
- 4-star Wide Receiver Vance Spafford
- 4-star Safety Jordan Smith
- 5-star Quarterback Jared Curtis
- 3-star Offensive Tackle Graham Houston
- 4-star Tight End Lincoln Keys
- 3-star Safety Kealan Jones
- 3-star Defensive Lineman Seven Cloud
- 4-star Safety Zech Fort
- 3-star Wide Receiver Brady Marchese
Georgia Bulldogs to honor Heisman Trophy legend Herschel Walker in special way
Georgia Bulldogs football legend Herschel Walker is set to be honored in a special way. The university announced this week that Walker will be inducted into the UGA Athletic Association Circle of Honor Class of 2025. The Circle of Honor was created in 1996 to celebrate the very best of Georgia’s student-athletes, coaches, and administrators and […]
