Latest news with #TylerAtkinson
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas tied for second-most 2026 five-star commitments in Rivals industry rankings
Texas kicked off Tuesday with the best news possible. Despite several other top programs pursuing him to the very end, five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson committed to the Longhorns. The Longhorns now have three five-star commits in the 2026 cycle per Rivals industry rankings. This lifts them past LSU and ties them with Oregon for the second-most five stars. Both trail Alabama, which has four. Texas flipped defensive lineman James Johnson from Georgia on Tuesday as well. Although he is a five-star prospect on Rivals, the site's industry rankings have him as a high four-star recruit. Every five-star industry ranking commit for Texas ranks within the top 20. Five-star Dia Bell is the No. 9 player overall and the No. 1 quarterback on Rivals. The aforementioned Atkinson ranks as the No. 9 prospect and the No. 1 linebacker. Richard Wesley is the nation's No. 18 overall prospect and he's the No. 3 edge in the country. What's impressive about the five-star success of Texas is the Longhorns have pulled from three different states. Bell is from Florida. Atkinson hails from Georgia. Wesley is from California. That means Texas has snagged three top 20 players and done so by plucking from three of the top recruiting states in the country. Texas is sitting in a great spot to have another top-tier recruiting class in 2026. Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on X (Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Matthew on X @StarConscience This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Texas Longhorns tied for second-most five-star commits in 2026 class
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas moves to No. 6 in Rivals industry rankings after flipping five-star DL James Johnson
The Texas Longhorns are on cloud nine after winning the recruiting battle for five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson and pulling off the flip of five-star defensive lineman James Johnson from Georgia on Tuesday. The addition of Johnson catapulted the Longhorns up the recruiting rankings. Texas is No. 6 per Rivals industry team rankings. Johnson is joined by Atkinson, five-star quarterback Dia Bell and five-star edge Richard Wesley atop Texas' class. Other big-time pledges include four-star offensive lineman John Turntine, four-star athlete Jermaine Bishop, four-star cornerback Samari Matthews and four-star defensive lineman Vodney Cleveland. Bell is the only one of those who hasn't committed since May; he committed last June. Kudos should be given to coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff for landing so much premium talent over the last few months. Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on X (Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Matthew on X @StarConscience This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Five-star flip puts Texas at No. 6 in Rivals industry rankings
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
5-star LB Tyler Atkinson trending away from Georgia ahead of commitment
Five-star linebacker recruit Tyler Atkinson is set to announce his commitment today (July 15) on the "Pat McAfee Show". The Pat McAfee show will be on YouTube from noon ET to 3 p.m. ET and is also aired on ESPN. Atkinson is deciding among the Georgia Bulldogs, Texas Longhorns, Clemson Tigers and Oregon Ducks. The elite linebacker prospect has long been projected to commit to Georgia, but recently been trending to commit to Texas, per Rivals' Steve Wiltfong and Chad Simmons. Atkinson is ranked as the nation's No. 9 recruit and is the top recruit in Georgia. Atkinson is the No. 1 linebacker recruit in the country and plays high school football for Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker had a dominant junior year. He led Grayson to a 14-1 record and a Georgia 6A state championship. Atkinson recorded 166 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble during the 2024 season. This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: 5-star LB Tyler Atkinson's recruitment takes one final twist
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
5-star LB Tyler Atkinson announces surprising commitment
Five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson's recruitment took a twist moments before his commitment decision. Atkinson, who had long been projected to commit to the Georgia Bulldogs, committed to the Texas Longhorns over Georgia, Oregon and Clemson. Georgia hosted Atkinson numerous times and poured a great deal of effort into their relationship with the elite linebacker recruit. Atkinson's recruitment is similar to that of five-star class of 2025 defensive lineman Justus Terry. Both five-star recruits are ranked among the best prospects in Georgia. Both players were heavily tied to Georgia, but Texas made a final push to land their respective commitment. Terry signed with Texas while Atkinson will have to wait until the early signing period in December, so the Bulldogs still have a chance to reel in the elite linebacker. Atkinson is a member of the class of 2026. He is rated as the nation's No. 9 recruit and is the top recruit in Georgia. Atkinson is the No. 1 linebacker recruit in the country and plays high school football for Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia. He won a 6A state championship with Grayson in the fall. Atkinson has potential as both an off-ball linebacker and as an edge rusher. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound linebacker announced his commitment on the "Pat McAfee Show." In 2024, Atkinson posted 166 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble with Grayson. "I feel like Texas is the best fit for me," said Atkinson. He highlighted Texas' coaches, their relationship with him and atmosphere as reasons he committed to Texas. Follow UGAWire on Instagram or Threads for more Georgia Bulldogs coverage! This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Nation's No. 1 linebacker recruit announces commitment
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ohio State Burned by 5-Star Recruit as Texas Scores Big Win Over Buckeyes Before Week 1 Clash
This has not been a good month for Ohio State when it comes to recruiting. And they just lost an elite talent they were favored to land to the team they will face in Week 1 of the new season. A month ago, it seemed like the Buckeyes were in the driver's seat for five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson. And it wasn't just a rumor. The Georgia native actually claimed in May that he appreciated the attention he received from head coach Ryan Day. And that Ohio State was No. 1 on his board. Related: Well, that was then, and this is now. What the teenager suggested in May has now changed in July, and the stud recruit revealed on 'The Pat McAfee Show' this week he is not heading to Columbus for his college career. He is instead going to the Texas Longhorns. The same team that Ohio State will play next month to open the 2025 season. Making matters worse is OSU didn't even make his final four choices. Atkinson chose the Longhorns over homestate powerhouses Georgia and Clemson, and Oregon. His decision follows news this week that five-star running back Derrek Cooper is also likely leaning toward committing to a school that isn't named Ohio State. Atkinson is ranked as the No. 1 LB in the nation and the ninth player overall on many recruiting lists. He's also the No. 1 player for the 2026 class from the state of Georgia. While it has been a rough last couple of weeks for the program's recruiting initiatives, coach Day has gotten 21 commitments for this class, including 5-star wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. and 5-star safety Blaine Bradford. Related: Related Headlines NHL Rumors: Florida Panthers Trading Evan Rodrigues Now Nearly Guaranteed? NASCAR News: Jimmie Johnson's Team Sues Former Ally, Accuses ex-spire Exec of NASCAR Sabotage Texas Rangers game today: Includes full 2025 TV schedule Wyndham Clark Banned From Oakmont Country Club After Damaging Property
