Watch: Five-star LB Tyler Atkinson shares Lincoln Riley's powerful game-day speech during official visit

Five-star linebacker Tyler Atkinson, from Grayson High School in Georgia, made a trip to Los Angeles to get an up-close look at the Trojans on Saturday. Lincoln Riley's program faced the No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions in a thrilling 33-30 overtime game that ended in heartbreak for USC.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound prospect seems impressed by Riley’s motivational address. He shared it on X, captioning it with,

'"The Difference!"✌️I had a great time this weekend being around this mindset. #AtkNup #FightOn #NOW."

Riley's speech centered on resilience and the ability to respond to both positive and negative situations.

"So here's the deal that two groups of people I just talked to you about, okay, it's only good for them when they happen to cut the right wire, when the one thing happens to go their way," Riley said. "Okay, the ones that really succeed in this world."

Riley's point was that true success comes not from avoiding mistakes or misfortune but from how one responds in the face of adversity.

"There's rise your ass up and fight, there's rise your a** up and fight, okay, and that's all there is to it, it's that simple," Riley said. "Everybody's going to get good and bad breaks, everybody sometimes is going to cut the right wire and cut the wrong wire, okay, the difference is how you handle it."

Joining Atkinson on the visit were fellow highly-rated prospects such as quarterback Carter Emmanuel, defensive lineman George Toia and quarterback Brady Edmunds.

Tyler Atkinson raves about USC's defensive line

USC is traditionally known for its high-powered offense under Lincoln Riley. However, in recent years, the Trojans have made huge strides on the defensive side of the ball.

Tyler Atkinson commended the improvements he has seen in USC’s defense ahead of his game-day visit to the school.

“They have a new defensive staff," Atkinson told SI. "They are taking steps to be a better defensive team and I like the adjustments they have made.”

Tyler Atkinson has received nearly 50 scholarship offers. This season, he has attended game days at Auburn and Alabama while visiting Georgia numerous times. USC isn’t considered a heavy favorite to land him as of now, but his praise for Riley and USC's defensive line can make the school a potential suitor.

USC's 2026 class ranks No. 2 in the nation with six committed players. It features linebacker Xavier Griffin, athlete Joshua Holland, cornerback Brandon Lockhart, edge rusher Braeden Jones, wide receiver Ja'Myron Baker and athlete Madden Riordan.