Tyler Atkinson also won Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year and the high school Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker.
Why Tyler Atkinson is The Sporting News 2025 High School Football Defensive Player of the Year originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Add one more trophy to Tyler Atkinson's trophy case.
After winning Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year and the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker, Atkinson (Grayson, GA) is The Sporting News 2025 Defensive National Player of the Year.
Consistency was a trademark for Atkinson, the anchor for a dominant Grayson defense which was in the thick of the national title picture all season long
During the latter part of the season, including postseason play, Atkinson posted four consecutive games with at least 10 tackles. That included 14 in a 31-10 Class 6A second-round win against Colquitt County.
The week before, in the opening round of the playoffs against Norcross, Atkinson recorded two sacks, caused a fumble and recovered a fumble as the Rams rolled, 44-7.
Grayson High School
Atkinson ended up with nine sacks and 22 hurries for a powerhouse Grayson team that finished 12-1 with a top-10 national ranking, its only blemish a loss to top-5 nationally ranked Carrollton in the Georgia 6A quarterfinals. Prior to that 34-14 loss to Carrollton, Grayson's defense surrendered just 8.3 points per game.
He finished his senior season with 96 tackles, including 26 tackles for loss.
Grayson HS Linebacker Tyler Atkinson!!!🚨🚨🚨
— Linebackers University™ (@Linebackers_U) November 18, 2025
5 ⭐️ Linebacker out of Loganville, Georgia is going to be a PROBLEM in college football!😤🔥@Tyler16Atkinsonpic.twitter.com/zYRKCXxwC5
For his career, Atkinson registered more than 550 tackles and nearly 290 solo stops, along with 39.5 sacks and six caused fumbles. He was a force during his junior season in helping the Rams claim the Class 6A Georgia High School Association championship.
5⭐️LB Tyler Atkinson soaking in the final moments as Grayson heads toward a 6A state championship win. pic.twitter.com/AZNZtyT5PA
— Jeremy Johnson (@JeremyO_Johnson) December 19, 2024
And now, Atkinson looks to continue staying consistent at the next level. He has signed to play at the University of Texas.
Meet your newest Longhorn, @Tyler16Atkinson 🤘#AllGas26 | #NSD26pic.twitter.com/ea7OHWwTlX
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) December 4, 2025
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