Let’s just keep it real—this isn’t your average recruiting tug-of-war. Five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson? Yeah, he’s him. The type of linebacker that makes offensive coordinators wake up at 3 a.m. in a cold sweat. What started as a Georgia vs. Ohio State chess match just took a wild left turn — two Big Ten powerhouses crashed the party, and they didn’t even knock. They came swinging. And now, the No. 1 linebacker in the nation might just flip the whole script this summer.
Oregon Ducks hit the gas early. Back in March, Atkinson slid through Eugene for an unofficial visit and apparently, the Ducks rolled out the green carpet like he was Marcus Mariota 2.0: “Oregon was everything I imagined it would be,” Atkinson told On3. “Coach Lanning and the entire staff showed me exactly how much they wanted me… The way Oregon embraced and supported my personal brand, ‘AtkNup’ is next level.” Dan Lanning doesn’t like to play around when it comes to recruiting. He’s cooking up a whole NIL-brand-meets-Legion-of-Boom recruiting pitch.
And then, on May 19 or 20—boom. Oregon’s defensive staff pulled up to his house. Not a Zoom call. Not a DM. They showed up in person, and Atkinson was caught throwing up that Oregon “O” sign like he’d already committed.
On May 20, the Wolverines sent linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary down south to see Atkinson in person. Now let’s be honest—they got in this one kinda late. But Michigan’s got two things going for them: NIL muscle and flipping receipts. Just last cycle, they flipped Bryce Underwood from Baton Rouge. And now? They’re eyeing Atkinson like a lottery ticket. Wolverines are betting big, and with Sherrone Moore now flexing as HC1, this might be their boldest swing yet.
Michigan coach Brian Jean-Mary visited No. 1 LB Tyler Atkinson todayhttps://t.co/etlhnVgDoz pic.twitter.com/eqE4MLt2aV
— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) May 20, 2025
But here’s the issue..
Georgia’s been on Atkinson since he was barely out of middle school. Kirby Smart doesn’t lose in-state talent like this—not without a bar fight. But Ohio State? They’re swinging with NFL hands. Let’s not forget who they sent down to see Atkinson: Matt Patricia, Tim Walton, and James Laurinaitis. That’s not a staff visit. That’s a damn Avengers-style linebacker intervention.“Ohio State is very real in this one,” Steve Wiltfong said via On3. “They’re in a really good position.” And if you think Matt Patricia left the NFL just to take Ls on the trail? Nah. The Buckeyes are trying to build another Top-5 defense, and Atkinson’s the crown jewel of that blueprint.
Well, let’s talk facts. Georgia missed out on five-star OT Jackson Cantwell, which definitely stung. But if Kirby Smart reels in Atkinson? That’s like getting prime Ray Lewis in return. According to On3’s Chad Simmons, the Bulldogs are still the lean favorite—but don’t let that fool you.
Are the Buckeyes and the Bulldogs still front-runners for Tyler Atkinson?
They got competition. Serious competition. Ohio State’s got the momentum. Let’s just say it. The Buckeyes are blitzing this recruitment harder than they do on 3rd and long. Between Patricia’s NFL résumé, Laurinaitis’ Buckeye legacy, and Walton’s relentless recruiting, this staff is moving like they’ve got a natty on the line—and maybe they do. Their defense ranked among the best in 2024, and landing Atkinson could be the difference between “great” and “scary.”
But this ain’t just about coaches—it’s about vibes. Atkinson’s been to Columbus, and the energy between him and the Buckeyes feels… real. They’re not just courting him. They’re campaigning like it’s an election year. Georgia, on the other hand, is banking on history. They’ve produced elite linebackers for years. Nakobe Dean. Roquan Smith. The whole gang. Kirby and DC Glenn Schumann basically have a factory down there. Atkinson knows it. Loves it. But that “lean” Simmons mentioned? It’s more of a soft-lean right now.
Meanwhile, Oregon’s not just talkin’ branding—they’re living it. You know how many programs will pitch you NIL deals and then disappear? Oregon backed it up with a whole in-home presentation, coaching presence, and photo ops with the “O.” They’re trying to be the West Coast power that finally snatches a five-star linebacker from SEC/Big Ten territory—and they’re playing chess, not checkers. They’ve got the No. 7 class right now. Add Atkinson? Boom. We’re talking top-3 potential, back-to-back five-star hauls, and a Dan Lanning revenge tour loading up fast.
But let’s be honest—the drama is far from over. Atkinson still has official visits coming up, and if this spring heat is any indicator, the summer’s about to be fireworks. For now, Georgia might be the favorite, Ohio State’s got momentum, Oregon’s making the loudest noise, and Michigan’s lurking like a thief in the night.
And just like that, Tyler Atkinson’s recruiting became a 4-way thriller. And Tyler Atkinson? He’s the prize everyone’s swinging for.
The post 5-Star Tyler Atkinson’s College Football Future Takes Serious Turn as Two B1G Powerhouses Make Aggressive Moves appeared first on EssentiallySports.
