Georgia Bulldogs inch one step closer to locking in the nation's top linebacker

Atkinson, a five-star linebacker out of Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia, is one of the top names to know in the 2026 recruiting class. On3 has him ranked No. 8 overall and the No. 1 linebacker in the country.

He had a monster junior season, finishing with 166 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, and 46 QB hurries. That kind of production earned him MaxPreps National Junior of the Year honors.

Atkinson recently made his 15th visit to Athens and had nothing but good things to say about coach Smart's program.

“Even with this being my 15th visit, I still saw and learned some new things, which is crazy to me," Atkinson told Dawg Post. "It's like a movie you have seen over and over, but there is always something new that pops out. I spent most of my time with Coach Schumann, Coach T-Rob, Coach Smart, and the defensive staff. The entire staff showed me how important it was to them that I stay home and play for the Dawgs."

Georgia Bulldogs 2026 Commits

Georgia currently boasts the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class and has 27 players committed to their recruiting class of 2026:

• 4-star EDGE Khamari Brooks
• 4-star Tight End Brayden Fogle
• 4-star Defensive Lineman Preston Cary
• 4-star Defensive Lineman PJ Dean
• 4-star Cornerback Chace Calicut
• 4-star Defensive Lineman James Johnson
• 4-star Wide Receiver Craig Dandridge
• 4-star Running Back Jae Lamar
• 4-star Linebacker Shadarius Toodle
• 4-star Offensive Tackle Ekene Ogbok
• 4-star Cornerback Caden Harris
• 5-star Kicker Harran Zureikat
• 5-Star Punt Returner Wade Register
• 4-star Offensive Lineman Zykie Helton
• 4-star Cornerback Justin Fitzpatrick
• 4-star Defensive Lineman Carter Luckie
• 4-star Wide Receiver Ryan Mosely
• 4-star Safety Jordan Smith
• 5-star Quarterback Jared Curtis
• 3-star Offensive Tackle Graham Houston
• 3-star EDGE Corey Howard
• 3-star Offensive Lineman Zachary Lewis
• 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