Do the Buckeyes Lead for the Nation’s Top Linebacker?

LOGANVILLE, Ga. — Ohio State offered Loganville (GA) Grayson star Tyler Atkinson the summer before his freshman year. Since that time, Atkinson has blossomed into the nation’s top linebacker prospect and the Buckeyes have continued to relentlessly pursue the five-star prospect.

Atkinson has reciprocated the interest over the years, making numerous trips to Columbus. The latest visit came just a few weeks ago for the Ohio State Spring Game.

“For me just to see the spring game and how the linebackers are doing and the upcoming freshmen on the team, it was good to see their improvement and it was good to learn more from coach James Laurinaitis,” Atkinson told BuckeyeHuddle.com on our Southern Swing recruit tour.

Atkinson was first offered by Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson but linebackers coach James Laurinaitis has taken over that recruitment over the past year and a half and the two have formed a close relationship.

“Coach Laurinaitis has played the position,” Atkinson started. “And, you know, he did everything that he did and for him to come back and coach and give us his input, his knowledge, it’s very good. He’s a coach and he’s a good person at the same time, so I can talk to him and have conversations with him, so it’s very good with coach Laurinaitis.”

The last visit also gave Atkinson a chance to spend time with head coach Ryan Day.

“He was trying to see where they were at on the board,” Atkinson explained. “And just having regular conversations with me and my family.”

And where are the Buckeyes on the board for the nation’s top linebacker prospect?

“They’re at the top,” he said. “They’re the top school on the board.”

Hear more from Atkinson from our one-on-one with the five-star prospect on our Southern Swing recruiting tour.