Coveted Star Reveals Promising Sign for Ohio State Amid College Football Rumors

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dave Holcomb | Last updated May 11, 2025 1:04 PM ET

The Ohio State Buckeyes coaching staff recently visited one of the top defensive prospects in the 2026 recruiting class. By all indications, that visit went well.

Five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson expressed that with a post on X. The linebacker tweeted a photo of himself with Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, linebackers coach James Laurinaitis and co-defensive coordinator Tim Walton on Friday night.

"I had a great evening with the Buckeyes defensive staff," wrote Atkinson with a couple emojis.

The three members of the Buckeyes defensive staff visited Atkinson less than a month after the linebacker was in Columbus, Ohio for the team's spring game.

Atkinson told On3's Steve Wiltfong that both visits left him feeling good about Ohio State.

“It was really good!” Atkinson told Wiltfong of the most recent visit. “I was glad to see the staff.

“Today was Coach P’s first day on the road recruiting and he came to our practice at Grayson and spent time with me and the family this evening. I really enjoyed that. Coach Laurinaitis, Coach Walton and myself have gotten pretty close.”

I had a great evening #AtkNup with the #Buckeyes defensive staff@OhioStateFB @ryandaytime @ChadSimmons_ @samspiegs @OhioStAthletics @TomLoy247 @BuckeyeScoop @Birm @SSchraderOn3 @SWiltfong_ @OhioState @mickdwalker @11W @grayson_fb @R2X_Rushmen1 pic.twitter.com/fMXOCPLU1z
— Tyler Atkinson (@Tyler16Atkinson) May 10, 2025

Wiltfong called Ohio State a "front-runner" to land Atkinson but also described the Georgia Bulldogs, Clemson Tigers, Auburn Tigers, Oregon Ducks and USC Trojans as heavily involved.

The Bulldogs could have the edge on Atkinson because of his proximity to Athens, Ga. The linebacker attends Grayson High School in Lawrenceville.

According to the 247 Sports composite rankings, Atkinson is the top linebacker and Georgia recruit in the 2026 class. Those rankings also have Atkinson sitting at No. 8 overall.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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