AUSTIN –  As head coach Steve Sarkisian was in Atlanta for SEC Media Days, two major recruits announced their commitment to the University of Texas.

Tyler Atkinson

On Tuesday morning, 5-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson announced his commitment to Texas over in-state Georgia, Oregon, and Clemson. 

Atkinson, standing at 6-feet-2 and 205 pounds out of Lawrenceville, Georgia, is ranked as the No. 9 player in the nation, the No. 1 linebacker in the class, and the No. 1 player in Georgia.

In 2024, during his junior year, he earned MaxPreps National Junior of the Year after tallying 166 tackles, 32 tackles for a loss, 46 quarterback hurries, 13 sacks, an interception, and forcing a fumble. His efforts helped Grayson High School earn the No. 7 national ranking and a 14-1 record.

As a sophomore, he set the school record with 197 tackles and earned MaxPreps Sophomore All-American honors. As a freshman, he attained 112 tackles and eight sacks, and the year prior, he became the first eighth grader to ever earn an invitation to the Navy All-American Bowl.

The University of Texas is making its mark on the recruiting trail, specifically in the state of Georgia. Sarkisian has now gone into the state of Georgia in back-to-back years and landed highly coveted 5-star players ranked top-2 at their respective positions over the in-state Bulldogs.

From early on, the battle seemed to be between the Longhorns and the Bulldogs. Atkinson took 14 total visits to Athens, but only two to Austin. Similarly, last year, 5-star defensive lineman Justus Terry chose Texas over Georgia after only taking one visit to Austin and eight to Athens.

James Johnson

After a nice addition to the class to move Texas up the ladder in the recruiting class rankings, 4-star defensive lineman James Johnson flipped his commitment from Georgia to the Horns.

Johnson, from Miami, Florida, originally committed to the Bulldogs on June 28 over Texas, Florida, and Miami. It was a tough battle between the Longhorns and Bulldogs, but in the end, it seems as if Sarkisian won the fight for the No. 1 DL in the class of 2026.

In his junior year at North Fort Myers High School, he accumulated 60 tackles, 29 for a loss, five sacks, and five quarterback hurries after only playing nine games due to a knee injury.

Johnson and Atkinson will both be solid additions to the depth chart for the Longhorns and ensure that when this experienced defense departs, Texas will be in good hands. 

After Johnson’s commitment, Texas shot up in the rankings. The Longhorns started the day with the No. 14 class and finished the day in the No. 6 spot.

As for the future, Texas fans can look forward to July 20, when 4-star running back Derrek Cooper announces his commitment. Texas has gained heavy traction in Cooper’s commitment as decision day has neared, but Miami and Georgia are still a force in his recruitment.