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Five-star recruit Tyler Atkinson, ESPN’s No. 1 outside linebacker in the 2026 class, announced his commitment to Texas during an appearance on the “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, handing the Longhorns a coveted pledge over finalists Clemson, Georgia and Oregon .

Atkinson, who plays at Georgia’s Grayson High School, is the No. 14 overall prospect in the 2026 ESPN 300 and one of the nation’s most productive high school defenders. He follows No. 1 overall quarterback Dia Bell (No. 4 in the ESPN 300) and defensive end Richard Wesley (No. 11) as the third five-star recruit to join Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian’s incoming recruiting class.

“What really told me to go to Texas was the coaches — the relationship piece, the atmosphere,” Atkinson told McAfee. “I feel like I just encompass everything I want at Texas … the way they have me playing is the best fit, and that’s why I chose Texas.”

Long favored to land with the Bulldogs, Atkinson’s Longhorns pledge marks Texas’ latest recruiting victory over its newly minted SEC rivals, arriving just eight months after Sarkisian & Co. swooped in to beat Georgia to five-star in-state defensive tackle Justus Terry (No. 8 overall) in the 2025 class last December.

Atkinson, the No. 1 recruit in the state of Georgia in 2026, visited the Bulldogs more than a dozen times throughout his recruitment. ESPN sources continued to view Georgia as a front-runner in his process into mid-June before Texas pulled level in the race following Atkinson’s official visit weekend June 20-22.

Sources close to the recruitment told ESPN that a tight battle between Texas and Georgia came down to the “small details” in recent days.

A three-year starter at Grayson High School in Loganville, Georgia, Atkinson has been credited with 483 tackles, 93 hurries and 31.5 sacks since his freshman season in 2022. He totaled 174 tackles with 13 sacks last fall, guiding the Rams to a 14-1 record and a 6A state title victory over Georgia powerhouse Carrollton High School and 2025 five-star quarterback Julian Lewis.

Atkinson now joins Wesley, ESPN’s No. 3 defensive end, atop an increasingly deep Texas defensive class in 2026.

The Longhorns stocked up on the defensive line in June with the additions of three ESPN 300 defensive tackles: Corey Wells (No. 188 overall), Dylan Berymon (No. 191) and Vodney Cleveland (No. 210). Three-star in-state outside linebacker Kosi Okpala committed to Texas earlier this month, and the Longhorns hold pledges from a pair of ESPN 300 cornerbacks, Samari Matthews (No. 99) and Hayward Howard Jr. (No. 248).

Atkinson’s move Tuesday leaves only two of ESPN’s 23 five-stars in the 2026 ESPN 300 still uncommitted. Texas and Georgia are set to close out another high-profile recruiting battle later this week with five-star rusher Derrek Cooper — ESPN’s top-ranked running back in 2026 — scheduled to announce his commitment from among the Longhorns, Bulldogs, Florida State, Miami and Ohio State on Sunday.

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D-backs star Marte’s home robbed during break

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D-backs star Marte's home robbed during break

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A home belonging to Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte was burglarized during the Major League Baseball All-Star break, according to police.

Scottsdale, Arizona, police confirmed that the department is investigating a “high-dollar residential burglary” that is believed to have happened on Tuesday night, which is when Marte was playing for the National League in its All-Star game win in Atlanta.

Numerous personal items and jewelry were stolen. No one was at home when the burglary occurred.

Police said the home is “reportedly” owned by Marte. Maricopa County Assessor’s Office records show Marte owns a home on the block near the investigation.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

Marte hit a two-run double in the first inning of the NL’s win, which was secured after a home run contest at the end of the game after the score was tied after nine innings.

The burglary is the latest in a series of thefts from the homes of high-profile athletes across the country this year. Players have been targeted because of the high-end products believed to be in their homes and sometimes the thefts occur when they are away with their teams for road games.

The FBI has warned sports leagues about crime organizations targeting professional athletes. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to athletes.

A Seattle man was charged last month in connection with a string of burglaries at the homes of prominent active and retired professional athletes in the area.

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Cubs icon Sandberg ‘continuing to fight’ cancer

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Cubs icon Sandberg 'continuing to fight' cancer

Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg said Wednesday he is “continuing to fight” cancer and is prioritizing time with those closest to him.

He posted a letter addressed to his fans and extended baseball family on Instagram.

“I wanted to share an update regarding my health,” wrote Sandberg, 65. “It’s been a challenging few months as I have been going through treatment on a regular basis.

“While I am continuing to fight, I’m looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends.

“I haven’t been to Wrigley Field as much as I hoped in the first half but I’m watching every game and am excited for the second half.”

He threw out the first pitch, surrounded by fellow Cubs greats, before the home opener on April 4.

In January 2024, Sandberg announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, then last August announced he was cancer-free. In December, he said the cancer had recurred and spread. He vowed to “continue to be positive, strong, and fight to beat this.”

Sandberg spent 15 of his 16 major league seasons with the Cubs, along with 13 games at the start of his career for the Philadelphia Phillies (1981).

Sandberg was the 1984 National League MVP, when he batted a career-high .314 with a major-league-leading 19 triples and 114 runs scored as well as 19 home runs, 84 RBIs and 32 stolen bases.

The second baseman also earned the second of his nine career Gold Glove awards that year. He was a 10-time All-Star selection and a seven-time Silver Slugger honoree, batting .285 with 282 home runs and 1,061 RBIs in his 2,164-game career.

Sandberg, who was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, also spent parts of three seasons (2013-15) as the Phillies’ manager.

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Rangers give All-Star bonus to snubbed Eovaldi

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Rangers give All-Star bonus to snubbed Eovaldi

Despite an excellent first half to the season, Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi wasn’t selected as an All-Star this year, but the team made sure that he’ll be paid like one.

Despite the snub, Eovaldi was given the $100,000 All-Star bonus in his contract by the Rangers after he posted a 1.58 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 91 innings. Teammate Jacob deGrom, who was selected as an All-Star, also received a $100,000 bonus.

Eovaldi, in his 15th major league season, would lead the majors in ERA, but after missing a month due to a triceps injury, he fell six innings short of the necessary 97 innings to qualify among leaders for individual statistical categories.

Eovaldi, a two-time All-Star, won his third straight game on Sunday to improve to 7-3, giving up five hits and a run with eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings against the Houston Astros.

The right-hander ranks second only to Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal among MLB starting pitchers in WHIP (0.85) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.71). Opposing batters are hitting a paltry .194 with a .237 on-base percentage, .286 slugging percentage and .523 OPS against Eovaldi.

Eovaldi is scheduled to make his first start of the second half at home on Sunday against Skubal and the Tigers at Globe Life Field.

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