Texas Longhorns get big recruiting wins for 2026, landing two top defenders

AUSTIN (KXAN) — College football recruiting never stops, and while Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian was in Atlanta for SEC Media Days on Tuesday, his staff was securing two huge additions for the 2026 defense, including a key flip from an SEC opponent.

Tyler Atkinson, the top overall player in Georgia by 247Sports' composite rankings, chose the Longhorns over Georgia, Clemson and Oregon, doing so live on The Pat McAfee Show. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound linebacker is a 5-star recruit for the 2026 class, joining quarterback Dia Bell and athlete Jermaine Bishop, elevating Texas to the No. 6 spot in the 247Sports rankings.

Atkinson was named the MaxPreps.com national junior of the year last year, helping lead Grayson High School from Loganville, Georgia, to a 6A state title and No. 7 national ranking. He recorded a whopping 166 tackles (32 TFL, 13 sacks) in 2024 and played in the Navy All-American Bowl earlier this year.

Texas flipped a Georgia Bulldogs pledge when defensive lineman James Johnson announced his commitment to the Longhorns. The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Johnson is a 4-star recruit according to 247Sports and the No. 8 defensive lineman recruit in the country in 247Sports' composite rankings. Johnson transferred to Northwestern High School in Miami, Florida, after attending North Fort Myers previously.

He chose Texas over Florida State, Florida and Miami in addition to his previous Georgia commitment. He previously said he'd be a Bulldog on June 28 before switching.

Texas now has three of the top 14 defensive line recruits in the 2026 class, adding Johnson with Dylan Berymon and Vodney Cleveland.