Nation’s No. 1 LB Reacts To Clemson Official Visit As Georgia Leads Recruiting Battle

As Georgia battle for a commitment for Atkinson – the top linebacker in the 2026 class and the No. 1 player in the state (Rivals) – Clemson has emerged as a heavy weight contender. 

Head coach Dabo Swinney's Tigers hosted Atkinson on an official visit over the weekend and apparently made quite the impression on the highly-touted recruit. 

"The Official Visit was OFFICIAL," Atkinson wrote Sunday on X. "It was the definition of "feeling like a priority!"

Georgia's recruiting trend at linebacker is well established, with Smart and Schumann signing multiple five-star players at the position over the years. Additionally, UGA has produced three Butkus Award winners since 2017. 

But Clemson shouldn't be counted out here as another recruiting power with a lot to like defensively. 

Swinney added former Penn State coordinator Tom Allen, who coached linebacker Abdul Carter in a consensus All-America season, to the Clemson staff this offseason. And linebackers coach Ben Boulware – a former Tigers linebacker, has established himself as a surging recruiting talent. 

On top of his visits to Georgia and Clemson, Atkinson has also been on campus at Ohio State and Miami over the last year. 

Atkinson is currently projected to sign with Georgia by experts at On3, 247Sports and Rivals. However, a decision date has yet to be announced as he mulls over his options.