Clemson’s lone linebacker target is headed elsewhere.

Five-star Tyler Atkinson (Grayson, GA) announced a commitment to Texas on Tuesday, choosing the Longhorns over other finalists Clemson, Georgia and Oregon. Each of his four finalists received summer officials.

Atkinson has been the Tigers’ lone target at the position since January, when Tom Allen was hired as defensive coordinator and Ben Boulware was promoted to linebackers coach. Prior to that, Clemson had mostly been an afterthought in his recruitment.

Atkinson would make his first visit to Clemson in more than a year for the Elite Retreat in March, then return for the big official visit weekend early last month.

“It was the meaning of feeling like a priority,” Atkinson told TCI after his official. “Coach Dabo (Swinney) is a different kind of coach. I can tell he genuinely wants me there because of how I play the game and the role I can play there. But more importantly, because of the type of person I am. That means a lot. I can see he leads the team and program with his heart.”

After helping lead Grayson to a 6A state title in the state of Georgia, he was an Army-Navy Bowl participant earlier this year, while also winning the MaxPreps National Junior of the Year Award.

Atkinson finished his junior campaign with 166 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, 46 quarterback hurries, an interception and a forced fumble.

The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder is the top-rated linebacker in the class, with the Rivals Industry Rankings slotting him at No. 9 overall.

With Atkinson headed to Texas, that leaves the Tigers still in search of a linebacker for the 2026 recruiting class.

Photo courtesy of Tyler Atkinson on Instagram