Some of college football’s biggest NIL spenders are in the running for the nation’s premier LB prospect. Five-star Tyler Atkinson, a standout in the Class of 2026, has kept fans and coaches on edge during his busy summer campus tours.
Up next on his list is a visit to Austin for the Texas Longhorns.
Top LB Tyler Atkinson Books Texas Trip After Georgia Visit
Per Hayes Fawcett of On3, the five-star linebacker will be taking an official visit to Texas this coming weekend. The Grayson High School (GA) standout has already visited Clemson (May 30), Oregon Ducks (June 6), and Georgia (June 13). His trip to Athens left a lasting impression; he called it “unforgettable.”
NEWS: Five-Star LB Tyler Atkinson will take an Official Visit to Texas this weekend, he tells me for @on3recruits
He’s one of the Top Overall Recruits in the 2026 Class (No. 1 LB)https://t.co/TXMdmX9QhY pic.twitter.com/paPlrpAaWg
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) June 18, 2025
Atkinson, a 6’2”, 205-pound tackling machine, has rewritten the record books at Grayson. He had 197 tackles as a sophomore and 166 tackles, 13 sacks, and a state title as a junior.
His dominance has earned him the No. 1 LB ranking in the 2026 class, the top spot in Georgia, and a national No. 8 overall ranking. His NIL valuation currently sits at $389,000.
The competition for his commitment is fierce and fueled by serious NIL firepower.
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Georgia is spending an estimated $18.3 million on its roster this year. Clemson isn’t far behind at $15.2 million. However, Texas leads with a projected $22.2 million NIL budget for 2025, and after back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances, they are making a strong case.
The Bulldogs remain the presumed frontrunner thanks to their deep ties with Atkinson, who’s been on Georgia’s radar since middle school. Still, Texas, Clemson, and Oregon (despite ranking 19th in NIL spending) are all in the hunt.
Atkinson’s recruitment is shaping up to be one of the most high-stakes battles of the 2026 cycle.
