A close recruiting battle is once again ensuing in the 2026 class. It happened with 5-star QB Jared Curtis, and another went down when it came to elite OT Jackson Cantwell. The top prospects for various positions are the prime targets for so many major programs. However, for one particular 5-star talent, a surprise program has emerged as a top favorite. This school has suddenly become a key competitor against CFB biggies, like OSU, Oregon, and Georgia.

All three of these programs are among the top 10 recruiting classes of 2026. Meanwhile, a surprising contender is turning heads, one that barely clings to the bottom of that top-10 list. Clemson has shocked these recruiting campaigns by emerging as a top choice for the 2026 No. 1 LB, Tyler Atkinson. The elite player only has one official visit lined up so far in his calendar, which is to Clemson next weekend. If things go smoothly, Atkinson can choose Death Valley as his CFB home.

A Clemson insider discussed how Dabo Swinney got closer to landing Atkinson. He said in a May 25 video of Clemson at The Voice of College Football, “Tyler Atkinson and his family were legitimately impressed by Clemson […] I think Clemson is a legitimate contender for Tyler Atkinson at this point.” Swinney had hosted a slew of targets during Clemson’s Elite Retreat, and Atkinson was a part of that event. After that event, Clemson saw 8 prospects announcing their commitments to the Tigers.

And, the visit could not have come at a better timing. “It should also be noted that linebacker Caleb Gordon, who we’ve talked about a little bit as the other, you know, main linebacker target, will not be visiting Clemson. And I will tell you… that is not bad news for Clemson.” Gordon is the 73rd-ranked LB in the class, according to On3. And instead of him, the Tigers are getting an offer from the No. 1-ranked guy–it’s a win-win for Dabo Swinney, anyway.

In his 3 seasons at Grayson, Atkinson tallied a whopping total of 475 tackles, 31.5 sacks, and 3 fumble recoveries. Any football program would love to have him on board. But Swinney will be making an extra push for other reasons. It’s been some time since Clemson saw their recruiting portfolio among the nation’s best. Clemson was once a perennial contender for the National Championship and an ACC juggernaut. If Atkinson announces his commitment, Clemson can reclaim that status this year.

That does not mean the other players are going to rest easy. Swinney will be fighting it out fiercely with Kirby Smart to secure the star LB. But, it doesn’t look like Smart will have it easy either.

Tyler Atkinson is slipping away from Georgia

Does Georgia stand a chance of having two 5-star recruits this year? Familiarity is where Smart will outshine every other program when it comes to recruiting Atkinson. The star linebacker’s bond with Georgia goes back some years, beginning when he was in 8 grade. And it’s not just that. Atkinson reportedly also “chopped it up” with iconic Bulldogs player, Roquan Smith.

But Smart will not have it as easy as Swinney, even with these advantages. “I think you kind of have a kernel of the truth there: which was Georgia had went from the team to beat to now Georgia is slugging it out, trading paint with a lot of other schools,” insider Jeff Sentell revealed. Even with a contact as elite as Smith, Georgia has slipped down his list of favorites. Losing Atkinson would also mean losing a brand. The LB already has an NIL valuation of $211,000 and a partnership with Legends Apparel. Moreover, OSU has also made a surge among the LB’s top choices.

It’s still very early to say if Atkinson shuts down his recruitment after this one official visit to Death Valley. But the LB is giving a lot of preference to Clemson. Visiting them early would allow Swinney and Co. to make an impression on him before anyone else. And if they sell it well, they will have a great head start. Will Georgia and others mount a comeback, or will Clemson lock in a five-star cornerstone before anyone gets their shot?