Texas Longhorns defense transformed overnight – five-star LB Tyler Atkinson commitment sparks major momentum

247Sports' director of scouting, Andrew Ivins, likens Tyler Atkinson's game to, ironically enough, Roquan Smith. 

He has seen Atkinson live and on tape. He is a huge fan of his game.

Highly-productive inside linebacker that can emerge as the soul of a defense with his instincts and athleticism. Owns more of a streamlined build at this stage, but is blessed with a longer frame and should have no issues eventually carrying 225 pounds or more. Quick to locate the football with his field awareness and will mirror ball carries with his rare start-stop ability and exceptional lateral burst. Has proven to be rather effective on the blitz as he will slip and dip around blockers before getting to the quarterback. Not one that has been asked to man-up a ton in coverage, but is comfortable dropping back into space and shading passing lanes. Must keep improving play strength and get better at attacking college-sized linemen, but should be viewed as a playmaking second-level defender that can rack up stops all over the field like he has been doing since he was a freshman for one of the Peach State’s top programs. Could fit into a variety of different schemes at the next level and will likely offer three-down value given how he moves and strikes. - Andrew Ivins, 247Sports

247Sports' Greg Biggins is also a big-time fan of Atkinson's potential – calling him a "very twitchy athlete who you can move around and he has the ability to play any of the ‘backer positions at the next level".

As a junior, Atkinson was about as unstoppable as you could be at the high school level. He was named MaxPreps' National Junior of the Year – leading Grayson to a 14-1 record, a 6A title and a No. 7 national ranking. He finished with 166 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble.

In the title game against Carrollton, Atkinson finished with 13 tackles and two sacks, completely neutralizing Colorado signee, Julian Lewis. He is now Grayson's second MaxPreps National Junior of the Year after Robert Nkemdiche won the award in 2011.

Tyler Atkinson joins five-star quarterback Dia Bell as the top two-ranked prospects in Texas' 2026 recruiting class.

Atkinson is ranked exactly the same, down to the decimal point, as former Longhorn linebacker and current Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Malik Jefferson. The games are so close, former Texas great and four-time Pro Bowler, Derrick Johnson, gave his thoughts on Atkinson's game.

"He's a whole 'nother thing, right there," Johnson said. "He's really good. You just don't see kids as technical as him – and he's got one more year [of high school] left, which is crazy. He can rush. He can drop. The linebacker drills I gave him, when I usually give it to even college or pro guys, there's some coaching points. I'm like, 'Alright, we gotta do this. We have to do this.' And with him, I'm like, 'Man, we got to move to the next drill. You hit that pretty good.'

"It's the way he moves, being very under control. I think that's an art and a specialness to his game, being able to move with a sense of urgency and be under control at the same time," Johnson said. "That's hard to do, especially as a young player."

Derrick Johnson went on further to discuss Tyler Atkinson with Inside Texas. And he thinks what he sees on tape looks awfully familiar.

“Honestly, he reminds me of me. He can run, he’s violent, he’s got a knack for the ball. The only difference is I was a little more raw. He’s more technical than me,” Johnson said. “He’s getting to home plate earlier than expected."

The Texas volunteer coach knows a good 'backer when he sees one. And not just because set a bunch of records in the NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs. But, he coaches and trains Anthony Hill Jr., and David Gbenda.