Best Of The Best: Who Are The Top 2026 Linebackers In Georgia?

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Redzone gives an update on the top 2026 linebacker prospects in Georgia...</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='212311' first='Tyler' last='Atkinson'] - Grayson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>An elite defender who can rush the quarterback off the edge or set the tone at middle linebacker, Atkinson is coming off a truly dominant sophomore season for the Grayson Rams where he made an eye-opening 197 tackles, 25 TFLs and 10.5 sacks. There aren't many better defenders across the country, and Atkinson is not only ranked as the No. 1 linebacker but the No. 1 overall prospect in Georgia according to the latest rankings update. He's a high-motor defender who can run down the ball-carrier while attacking the quarterback on a consistent basis. He already holds a giant offer list, and he's a prospect who is a top priority for several of the country's best college programs. He's explosive off the snap, shows great instincts, and lived in the backfield all season long. He'll only get better over time, and he'll be extremely tough to stop as a junior for the mighty Grayson Rams this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='681180' first='Xavier' last='Griffin'] - Gainesville</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another elite defender and one of the best pass-rushers not only in Georgia but across the country in the 2026 class, Griffin is a long, athletic outside linebacker at 6-foot-4 215-pounds who was a force to deal with all season long as a sophomore. Playing for an outstanding Gainesville program, Griffin showed he's one of the top defenders in the country for his class, making 52 tackles and an outstanding 20 TFLs to go along with nine sacks. He brings a lengthy frame, impressive natural athleticism, and knows how to take on blocks, shed them, and go hunt down the ball-carrier. His best football is still way ahead of him, and he has a chance to load up the stat sheet as a junior next fall. Now, Griffin is ranked as the No. 2 linebacker and the No.2 overall prospect in the state. He has easy 5-star potential and will only be better as a junior this upcoming season. He brings game-changing talent and should be fun to watch this fall. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1319904' first='Tristian' last='Givens']<a href="https://prepredzone.com/player/tristian-givens/"></a> – Carver</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>One of the top overall defenders and overall defenders in West Georgia, Givens is a two-way standout with an excellent 6-foot-4 215-pound frame coming off am impressive 10-sack season last year as a sophomore. He plays like a quarterback's worst nightmare, flying off the edge with the ability to deliver a giant hit on the quarterback. His length allows him to fight off blocks and his speed gives him a chance to fly around the edge as he chases down the ball-carrier. He has the size, length, and potential to have a massive junior season this fall, and he already holds an impressive offer list. He's quickly become a national recruit, and now, this promising outside linebacker, who can also catch passes on offense, is ranked as the No.12 overall prospect in the state. If he continues to keep adding muscle while developing his craft as a pass-rusher and every-down linebacker, Givens could see even more major offers come his way with a big junior season this year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Anthony Davis – Grayson</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Another dominant Grayson linebacker who has seen his recruitment take off this year, Davis is a speedy, hard-hitting linebacker with a true nose for the football. At 6-foot-2 195-pounds, Davis shows good instincts against the run and is bound for a giant junior season this fall. He's been working hard this off-season and is hoping to improve on a very strong 2023 season where he made 67 tackles, six TFLs, 3.5 sacks and one INT. He was active and made his presence known on a weekly basis while being surrounded by plenty of D1-talent on the Grayson defense. He brings a lot of potential and has a chance to be even better as a junior this fall. With two more years of high school left, Davis has a chance to be college-level ready by the time his high school career ends. He made a big jump in the latest rankings update, now coming in as the No. 18 overall prospect in the state for the 2026 class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->