AJC Super 11 linebacker named finalist for national player of the year award
Standout Grayson linebacker Tyler Atkinson was named a Gatorade National Football Player of the Year finalist, according to a release from the program.
The AJC Super 11 selection was also named Gatorade Georgia Football Player of the Year.
Atkinson, who signed to play at Texas, is one of three finalists for the national player of the year award. Randle High (Texas) running back Landen Williams-Callis and Nixa High (Missouri) offensive lineman Jackson Cantwell, a Miami signee, are the other two finalists.
Atkinson finished the season with 96 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and nine sacks. The 5-star linebacker led a Grayson defense that allowed 10.6 points per game this season.
Atkinson is ranked as the 2026 recruiting class’s No. 2 linebacker and the No. 20 overall player by the 247 Sports Composite Rankings. He had scholarship offers from premier programs across the country, including Texas, Ohio State, Georgia, Alabama and Notre Dame.
Atkinson is Grayson’s first Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year. Other noteworthy winners include Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (Mill Creek), Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton (Rabun County), Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (Cartersville) and Pro Football Hall of Fame nominee Eric Berry (Creekside).
Atkinson would be the second Georgian to win Gatorade National Player of the Year.
Former Marietta tight end Arik Gilbert was the first in 2019.
About the Author
Jack Leo is a sports writer and reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Jack worked for the AJC throughout his four years studying journalism and sports media at Georgia State University and the University of Georgia. He's now focused on telling stories in the grassroots: bringing comprehensive coverage of high school sports for AJC Varsity.
