Auburn's Defense Shines Preseason

Auburn’s defense is already lighting up the preseason spotlight, with Xavier Atkins and Rayshawn Pleasant earning All-American honors before the 2026 season even begins. Atkins, fresh off LSU, lands on the Second Team for his elite play, while Pleasant earns Third Team recognition—not just for his safety skills, but for his explosive kick return prowess that’s already turned games. Atkins is laser-focused on technique to stay ahead, and Pleasant’s ability to turn kicks into touchdowns could be game-changers. This early acclaim signals a defense primed to dominate. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/0abf42c1456f3365