Auburn Dismisses Star Linebacker Xavier Atkins Following Disciplinary Suspension
Auburn football has dismissed star linebacker Xavier Atkins from the program. The All-SEC standout plans to enter the transfer portal after his exit.
POLICY WIRE — Auburn, Ala. — The Auburn Tigers football program has officially parted ways with star linebacker Xavier Atkins, according to multiple reports surfacing Monday night.
Atkins, a junior who earned first-team All-SEC honors in 2025, was notably absent from the field during Auburn’s upset victory over then-No. 1 Georgia this past Saturday. Reports indicate his absence from that contest was due to disciplinary issues.
While the specific circumstances surrounding his dismissal remain undisclosed, the linebacker is no longer featured on the team’s official roster. Following the announcement, Atkins utilized social media early Tuesday morning to confirm his intention to enter the transfer portal.
The departure marks a significant loss for the Tigers’ defense for the remainder of the 2026 season. Atkins had been a productive force on the field, recording 37 tackles across five games this year, trailing only Elijah Melendez on the team leaderboard.
In addition to his tackle count, Atkins contributed 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and one interception during the current campaign. He previously led the Tigers with 85 tackles in 2025 after transferring to Auburn from LSU in late 2024.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
