Grayson HS (Loganville, GA) 5-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson has been named the National High School Defensive Player of the Year by The Sporting News, further cementing his legacy at the prep level.
Atkinson is also Georgia's Gatorade Player of the Year for 2025 and recently won the Butkus Award as well, given to the nation's top high school linebacker.
The current No.2-ranked linebacker in the 2026 recruiting class had a legendary season for Grayson High School in 2025, totaling 96 tackles, 26 TFL, 9 sacks, and 22 QB pressures to go along with multiple forced fumbles and fumble recoveries as a senior.