SEC All-American linebacker Xavier Atkins is no longer listed on Auburn’s 2026 roster and has been dismissed from the team, according to reports.
It was announced last week, ahead of the Tigers’ game against Georgia, that Atkins would miss the game due to a disciplinary issue. But head coach Alex Golesh declined to share what happened for Atkins to miss one of Auburn’s biggest games of the season.
“We’ll keep it in house. That’ll be the only piece of it that I will be addressing. He won’t be available for us this week for the game,” Golesh said before the Georgia game.
The Tigers would go on to upset Georgia, 27-24, and on Monday, Golesh said they were still working through whatever happened with Atkins.
“We’re still working through it. I don’t have an update right now,” Golesh said.
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Atkins makes transfer portal plans known
While we still don’t know what Atkins might’ve done to sit the Georgia game and then get dismissed, the star linebacker did post on his X account to announce he would be entering the transfer portal once the timing was right.
“I have nothing but respect Auburn University and will continue to support my teammates this season. My focus is on my health, my family, and on finishing up the academic semester strong, and I’ll be entering the transfer portal at the appropriate time,” Atkins wrote on his X post.
Atkins was second on the team this season with 37 tackles. He also had 7.5 tackles for loss and three sacks, along with one interception. There is no doubt that Atkins will be a sought-after linebacker target once the transfer portal opens.
Last season, Atkins had 84 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and nine sacks for Auburn. He was in his junior season with the Tigers and will have two more years of eligibility with the new 5-for-5 rule.
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