Clemson fans, brace yourselves. Kirby Smart isn’t just twisting the knife; he’s pulling it out and preparing another slice. Remember that 34-3 shellacking Georgia handed Dabo Swinney’s Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 31, 2024? Well, now the competition has shifted. Georgia’s recruiting dominance is being challenged by Swinney, who’s pulling out all the stops for their top target, 5-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson. It appears Clemson and Georgia are engaged in a full-blown race for Atkinson’s commitment.
Georgia’s recruiting machine is humming, consistently churning out top-tier talent. Nine straight years with a top-four recruiting class under Smart? That’s not a coincidence. Now, they’ve got their sights set on 2026 phenom Tyler Atkinson. He’s visited Athens, sure, but Clemson’s throwing everything they’ve got at him. According to Rivals’ Adam Gorney, Clemson’s “AtkNup Plan,” a detailed brand-building and defensive role proposal crafted by Tom Allen, has made a significant impact.
“The visit to Clemson was incredible,” Atkinson himself admitted. “What really stood out to me was the ‘AtkNup Plan’ they put together for me. They showed me in detail their vision for me there—from getting my degree in three years, my role in the defense that coach (Tom) Allen is bringing, how they can help grow my brand, to everything else.” Gorney even suggested that Tom Allen could be a game changer in this recruitment.
Gorney further reported, “They [Clemson] detailed their vision for using him in defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s defense and Atkinson hit it off with coach Dabo Swinney, even shooting hoops at the coach’s house.” He added, “Georgia had Atkinson back on campus Tuesday, but the Tigers absolutely left a major impression.”
Despite Adam Gorney’s reports suggesting Tyler Atkinson’s inclination towards Clemson, Atkinson appears quite impressed with Kirby Smart’s Georgia program as well. “The practice environment was full of energy and a passion to practice,” Atkinson told On3 after a visit to Georgia. “I spent a lot of time with Coach Kirby on the practice field. He explained a lot of things about the defense, and I got some questions answered. That was really good.” It’s clear Smart has a specific vision for Atkinson.
With Georgia’s spring practice kicking off on March 18th, Smart’s extending an open invitation for Tyler Atkinson to delve deeper into the program. What really sets Georgia apart? Smart’s track record of developing elite linebackers. Three Butkus Award winners—Roquan Smith, Nakobe Dean, and Jalon Walker—have emerged under his tutelage. Georgia insider Graham Coffey noted, “Georgia has 3 Butkus winners under Kirby Smart… This guy has the tools to be the 4th.”
And it’s easy to see why both programs are so invested. Atkinson is a force of nature. Ranked No. 8 overall by the On3 Industry Rankings, he’s a top national prospect. During his junior season, he led Grayson to a 14-1 record and a state title, racking up 166 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble. Over his high school career, he’s amassed over 500 tackles.
A Big 10 rival eyeing Tyler Atkinson
Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks are throwing their hat into the ring for 5-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson, ready to rumble with Georgia and Clemson. They’re rolling out the red carpet for him this Friday, aiming to shake up a battle that’s already been a knock-down, drag-out affair. Georgia’s been heavily involved, hosting Atkinson for his second visit this year alone. Meanwhile, Clemson just wrapped up their “Elite Retreat,” where Dabo Swinney reportedly told Atkinson he wants him to be the Trevor Lawrence of his future defense. So, if Lanning’s making a move, he’s stepping into a serious brawl. After all, a 5-star is a 5-star, and snagging one is a massive boost for any recruiting class’s ranking.
247Sports’ Andrew Ivins describes Atkinson as a “highly productive inside linebacker with elite instincts, quick reaction time, and exceptional athleticism.” He’s exactly the kind of player Dan Lanning, head coach of the No. 2-ranked 2026 recruiting class (behind USC), covets. Oregon has already secured commitments from top defenders like Tristan Phillips, Bott Mulitalo, and Tomuhini Topui. But Atkinson? He’d be a game-changer, a generational talent capable of propelling the team to even greater heights, perhaps even the No. 1 spot.
Despite losing quarterback Jonas Williams to USC, Lanning remains undeterred. While Georgia seemed like the frontrunner for a while, and Clemson currently holds some perceived momentum, Oregon is ready to fight tooth and nail, turning this into a three-way slugfest. It’ll be fascinating to see how Kirby Smart and Dabo Swinney handle this unexpected challenge from the West Coast.
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