Elite 2026 4-star LB Tyler Atkinson had ‘very good’ summer visits to Auburn, Georgia and Ohio State

Lawrenceville (Ga.) Grayson four-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson announced his top 10 schools on Sept. 27. He has visited three of those programs this summer. 

Atkinson was at Auburn on July 27 for Big Cat Weekend, as well as Georgia and Ohio State in June. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound recruit has been to the Bulldogs seven times overall, the Tigers around half a dozen times and the Buckeyes three times. 

“Those visits were very good,” Atkinson told On3. “I had a fun time with the coaches.” 

Atkinson is planning to return to Ohio State for his first game-day experience in Columbus this fall. He likes the coaching staffs at all three schools. 

The No. 1 player in Georgia credited Auburn’s staff as being a key reason why he continues to go to The Plains. Visits will play an important role in Atkinson’s recruitment as he continues to work towards his decision. 

“Visits are important to me” said Atkinson, the No. 11 overall prospect and No. 1 linebacker in the 2026 On3 Industry Ranking. “I get to spend time with the coaches and get to know the people at each school better. I get a feel for the environment too and I learn more about the school.” 

Atkinson breaks down his interest in Auburn, Georgia and Ohio State

Auburn: “My visit to Auburn for Big Cat Weekend was very good. I got to spend time with the coaches and talk with them about a little bit of everything. I got to spend time with coach Hugh Freeze and had a good time there. I enjoyed being around the culture there. I am close with the new defensive coordinator – coach D.J. Durkin – and the defensive EDGE coach, Josh Aldridge.”

Georgia: “I like coach Kirby Smart and coach Glenn Schumann. I’m very close with some of the players on the team and have a good relationship with them. When I go to Georgia, most of the defense already knows who I am because I’ve been up there so much. It feels good around the team and it feels good up there.”

Ohio State: “I like the coaches up there. I love coach James Laurinaitis and coach Ryan Day is a good person. The thing I like most about Ohio State is the coaches there and then, I also like the feeling there. I like the vibe up there. It’s very good. I like the scheme. When I go up there, I talk ball with them. They have good players. They’re trying to win it all this year, so there’s high energy up there. That’s why I like it every time I go there.”

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