Nation’s Top 2026 Linebacker Tyler Atkinson Building Strong Relationship With Buckeyes

Ohio State offered Tyler Atkinson before his freshman season at Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia, and since that day dozens of other schools have followed suit.

Atkinson (6-2 205) is now ranked as the No. 1 linebacker in the 2026 recruiting class per the 247Sports Composite, and the No. 7 player overall.

When Ohio State offered Atkinson two years ago, it was head coach Ryan Day and defensive line coach Larry Johnson handing out the good news. It was a positional projection as a pass rusher at the time, though Atkinson has now emerged as one of the…