Xavier Atkins Rising Star at Auburn

Xavier Atkins, the surprise Auburn transfer from LSU, exploded onto the scene last year with All-SEC-level play, leaving scouts wondering if he’d bolt again — but he’s staying, thanks to D.J. Durkin’s return. Now a cornerstone of Auburn’s defense, Atkins is ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg’s top non-quarterback playmaker to watch in 2026. Despite being undersized, his explosive speed lets him blitz QBs and dominate the backfield. He led the SEC with 17 tackles for loss, added 9 sacks, 7 hurries, 2 forced fumbles, and an interception — while topping Auburn’s tackle charts. Coach Alex Golesh calls him an All-American in the making, perfectly suited for their system and growing into a leader. 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/d23265116842ae25