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2026 5-star recruit announces commitment date and includes Texas Longhorns among final schools

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Zach Berry | Last updated Jul 14, 2025 7:53 PM ET

One of the Texas Longhorns' biggest remaining 2026 recruiting targets announced his commitment date and his finalists Monday.

2026 five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson announced Monday he plans to reveal his commitment Tuesday, July 15, live on the Pat McAfee Show. Atkinson's final four schools are Georgia, Texas, Clemson, and Oregon.

Atkinson is ranked as the No. 1 overall linebacker recruit in the country, per Rivals' Industry Ranking. The Grayson (Ga.) standout is the top player from the state of Georgia and the No. 9 overall prospect in the country.

BREAKING: Five-Star LB Tyler Atkinson will announce his Commitment tomorrow live on the Pat McAfee Show, he tells me for @rivals

The No. 1 LB in the ‘26 Class will choose between Clemson, Georgia, Oregon, & Texashttps://t.co/pnxd0NmN0T pic.twitter.com/ozJ3PEuCeD
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) July 14, 2025

The feeling is this battle is going to come down to Georgia and Texas.

The Longhorns received Atkinson's final official visit, June 20, a week after he was in Athens. There has been a lot of talk about the 6-foot-2, 210 pound prospect staying in-state to play for the Bulldogs. But, there's a considerable amount of buzz around Texas – following the final official visit.

Rivals' Chad Simmons spoke with Atkinson about his finalists. Here's what he had to say about the Longhorns and Bulldogs.

“That consistency has been big with Georgia," Atkinson said. "For me and my family, it has been all about the consistency. Not much has changed at all. That always stands out about Georgia.

"This was definitely an official visit that I will never forget. I have been there so much, but the crazy thing is that I still saw and learned some new things," Atkinson said. "It was kind of like a movie you have seen over and over, but there is always something new to pop out.”

Speaking of “taking souls” this week. …

Here’s state champion 5-star LB Tyler Atkinson. Looking new and improved for his swan song senior season.

He’s been crushing souls in GHSA big-boy football since 2022. pic.twitter.com/2uwxUizkNO
— Jeff Sentell (@jeffsentell) May 16, 2025

'My OV to Texas was eye-opening.'

"This could be my last visit before I make the right choice, and I really feel it was a great decision to visit there," Atkinson said. "This was my fourth visit with the Longhorns outside of pretty much living in Austin the past month for training. I have made some great connections there for sure."

"Coach Sark and the entire staff made me feel like a priority and that I could be a key piece to the defense," Atkinson said. "I feel really good about Texas, and they are one of my top schools to consider. I am blessed to have some great options to choose from.”

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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