Replace, replenish and retool. It’s how a modern dynasty becomes a perennial blueblood. Under the custodianship of Kirby Smart, Georgia has been the absolute best program in the sport. There’s a conveyor belt of talent running through Athens. Every year, the NFL Draft is a reminder of this and this year’s iteration was no different. However, the nature of college football, being an intermediary rather than an ultimate destination, means that even the best can never quite rest on their laurels. It’s a cyclic carousel of seniors hopping off and freshmen hopping on. Athens has seen more 5-stars than downtown LA over the last half-decade, and Coach Smart wants to keep adding to that lineage with linebacker Tyler Atkinson. However, he’s facing challenges, or challengers rather.

The Bulldogs’ success has been built on defense, especially their front 7. The Eagles’ defensive line in the Super Bowl was a microcosm of this, with multiple ex-Dawgs giving Patrick Mahomes 60 minutes of hell. On Day 1 of the ‘25 draft, alum Jalon Walker remained in-state and got picked by the Falcons. Tyler Atkinson is somebody who’s in that mould, that archetype. Atkinson’s a Georgia native, so it’s quite ironic how the potential successor is also just remaining in proximity. But “potential” is the keyword here. The path from Loganville to Athens is far less straightforward than you’d think.

On3’s Chad Simmons relayed intel about the latest intel around some of the biggest names in the class of ‘26. Included were some important revelations pertaining to Tyler Atkinson. Turns out Kirby Smart and Georgia did look like they’re building a fence around the state and preventing him from leaving the confines of the Peach State. However, that fence is coming loose after pressure from national champs Ohio State, B1G champs Oregon and a fellow SEC school hailing from Alabama. But not the one you’d think.

“This race for the top spot has tightened up a little bit,” remarked Chad Simmons. “[Tyler Atkinson] has always been open and about exploring his options, but Georgia has been considered the favorite to land linebacker Tyler Atkinson,” he added. That sounds positive, but Simmons threw a spanner in the works for Coach Smart. “The Bulldogs are still one of the favorites, but Ohio State and Oregon made significant moves for the five-star this spring.  Auburn has always been there as well.” The loveliest village on the plains hasn’t had much love in reciprocation from players in the recent past. But Hugh Freeze and the Tigers are indeed clinging on. As for Ohio State and Oregon, is there any surprise they’re involved in the running for a 5-star talent? Chad Simmons proceeded to offer some more details about how things are trending.

“Atkinson is still working to figure out his official visit schedule, and Georgia will receive one, but things may be a little more cloudy at the top,” he said. It’s not quite time to ring alarm bells at UGA. But Kirby Smart sure needs to be wary. Ohio State has renewed ammo with their new DC Matt Patricia, whose extensive NFL experience is a magnetic pull. As for Oregon, Dan Lanning’s success in tandem with Phil Knight and Nike’s backing makes them a very difficult school to turn down. Even if they’re located all the way out on the Pacific Coast, far away from Loganville. Kirby Smart knows firsthand how mighty that coach-program combo is. He’s dealing with it for the recruitment of another 5-star simultaneously. 

Kirby Smart’s position in the Tyler Atkinson sweepstakes similar to the Jared Curtis ones

Dan Lanning’s time as a defensive coordinator at Georgia under Kirby Smart didn’t just mean the latter’s coaching acumen permeated through to him. Some of that recruiting juice did, too. So much so that the protege is now rubbing shoulders with the mentor.  Even threatening to overthrow him when it comes to getting 2026’s No.1 QB Jared Curtis. Earlier in his process, Curtis was committed to Georgia. But he rescinded his verbal to keep his options open and take visits elsewhere. Now, his final shortlist includes Oregon and, interestingly, Georgia again.

This recruitment, akin to Tyler Atkinson’s, remains in the balance. But there has been a suggestion Oregon’s NIL arsenal could tip the scales in their favor. Especially considering how Coach Smart has maintained and preached his stance on how Georgia shall not get into a bidding war for a player. They want ones who can look at the bigger picture with the program and their track record of development rather than the zeroes at the end of a cheque. But Jared Curtis’ agent has just come out and thwarted that suggestion.

Peter Webb went on the record and said, “It’s not about who’s gonna pay [Curtis] the most… Once he’s made the decision, then we go to work”. A decision is due to be announced on May 5th. It’ll be fascinating to see of the apprentice Lanning really can get one over his proverbial master, Smart. Concurrently, their race for Tyler Atkinson continues trudging along.