The USC Trojans will welcome the No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions, along with five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson from the class of 2026, who is visiting USC for the first time. Hailing from Georgia, Atkinson is ranked as the No. 10 overall recruit in his class, according to On3. Rather than taking a break during the bye week, he’s seizing the chance to check out USC.
Atkinson recently spoke with USC head coach Lincoln Riley and linebackers coach Matt Entz on October 8. He shared with On3’s Chad Simmons, “I want to meet the coaches, watch the game, and observe how the linebackers perform this weekend. They have a new defensive staff and are making strides to improve their defense. While they’re known for their offense under Coach Riley, their defense has shown strong progress this season.”
Attending the game is crucial for Atkinson as he aims to interact with the coaches and watch the linebackers in action. He mentioned, “Understanding how the scheme works is a significant factor for me. I’ll be paying attention to how they utilize the linebackers and their movement to the ball during the game.”
As a top recruit, Atkinson has already visited several schools, including Auburn and Alabama on game days, and has made numerous trips to Georgia. “I get to connect with the coaches and better understand the people at each school, which helps me gauge the environment and learn more about the institutions,” he explained.
USC has also secured a commitment from linebacker Xavier Griffin, a top-25 prospect in the 2026 class. This game will be pivotal for Atkinson, especially since the Trojans are coming off an upset loss and facing a formidable opponent in Penn State, known for its explosive offense.
USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn noted that Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar has one of the strongest arms they’ve encountered. The Trojans’ defense, dealing with several injuries, will be under scrutiny, providing Atkinson with insight into how they manage challenges.
In addition to Atkinson, USC will host other potential recruits this weekend, including 2026 quarterback Carter Emmanuel and 2027 prospects George Toia (defensive lineman) and Brady Edmunds (quarterback). Despite the early kickoff, the atmosphere is expected to be electric, presenting a prime opportunity for the Trojans to impress Atkinson and other recruits. The game is set to start at 12:30 p.m. PT.
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