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Xavier Atkins Appreciation Thread
Posted on 10/21/25 at 5:27 pm
Posted on 10/21/25 at 5:27 pm
What dummy let this stud sophomore walk away?
We need to show we are NIL strAUng for him in the offseason.
Updated 10/26
61 Tackles (45 solo) 7 sacks, 2 FF, 1 INT
We need to show we are NIL strAUng for him in the offseason.
Updated 10/26
61 Tackles (45 solo) 7 sacks, 2 FF, 1 INT
This post was edited on 10/26/25 at 8:56 am
10
Posted on 10/21/25 at 5:44 pm to jangalang
quote:
What dummy let this stud sophomore walk away?
Posted on 10/21/25 at 5:48 pm to jvilletiger25
lol
Posted on 10/21/25 at 5:51 pm to jangalang
He really is a beast.
Posted on 10/21/25 at 6:03 pm to makersmark1
He is. He is a gamechanger like Karlos Dansby
Posted on 10/21/25 at 6:11 pm to jangalang
Pound for pound, Best player on the roster
Posted on 10/21/25 at 7:05 pm to TailbackU
agreed .... has the quicks ... and he has the right attitude when he arrives 
This post was edited on 10/21/25 at 7:06 pm
Posted on 10/21/25 at 8:25 pm to jangalang
And he took a damn good player’s position. Riddick was a stud off the edge last season as well.
Posted on 10/21/25 at 10:05 pm to jangalang
I asked rant about him and the LSU fans all said they had never heard of him.
Posted on 10/21/25 at 10:26 pm to AUstar
Older article:
Linebacker Xavier Atkins has shined on Auburn football's defense. DJ Durkin isn't surprised
AUBURN — Through five games, Auburn football's leading tackler has a six-stop margin in that mark. He's also tied for the lead in tackles for loss, is one of two Tigers with more than two sacks and has at least one interception and forced fumble.
It's not Keldric Faulk, who's widely regarded at the program's top NFL draft prospect, nor is it some seasoned veteran. It's linebacker Xavier Atkins, a sophomore transfer who came to Auburn from LSU this offseason and played all of 34 snaps a season ago.
Atkins put the Tigers in position late against Texas A&M on Saturday, Sept. 29, with a pick and subsequent 72-yard return, setting up Auburn's only touchdown in the eventual 16-10 defeat. But he's also stuffed the stat sheet through five weeks.
On Tiger Talk on Monday, Sept. 29, defensive coordinator DJ Durkin explained why he hasn't been surprised.
"The way he played in fall camp, this is what we were expecting," Durkin said. "He was lights out — really, really good. And I've known Xavier from back in high school. I recruited him out of high school, and so I've known for a long time. This is the player that I always envisioned him being and thought he could be. ... This is kind of what we were hoping we were going to get, and he's doing a heck of a job."
Atkins also posted a game-high 10 tackles against the Aggies, including two tackles for loss. He's had other dominant outings this fall, most notably with four tackles for loss and two sacks in Week 2 against Ball State.
Through five games, Atkins' production has given him top-10 marks in the SEC in tackles, sacks and tackles for loss. To Durkin, Atkins has gotten there because he prepares like he plays.
"Some guys want to be great on Saturday," Durkin said. "He knows you have to be great on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, all throughout the week, in order to be great on Saturday. ... His preparation is awesome. He practices hard. He prepares in the meeting room very well, and he's a hungry player. He wants to prove it, and I think his production really shows with that in mind."
More stats:
Linebacker Xavier Atkins has shined on Auburn football's defense. DJ Durkin isn't surprised
AUBURN — Through five games, Auburn football's leading tackler has a six-stop margin in that mark. He's also tied for the lead in tackles for loss, is one of two Tigers with more than two sacks and has at least one interception and forced fumble.
It's not Keldric Faulk, who's widely regarded at the program's top NFL draft prospect, nor is it some seasoned veteran. It's linebacker Xavier Atkins, a sophomore transfer who came to Auburn from LSU this offseason and played all of 34 snaps a season ago.
Atkins put the Tigers in position late against Texas A&M on Saturday, Sept. 29, with a pick and subsequent 72-yard return, setting up Auburn's only touchdown in the eventual 16-10 defeat. But he's also stuffed the stat sheet through five weeks.
On Tiger Talk on Monday, Sept. 29, defensive coordinator DJ Durkin explained why he hasn't been surprised.
"The way he played in fall camp, this is what we were expecting," Durkin said. "He was lights out — really, really good. And I've known Xavier from back in high school. I recruited him out of high school, and so I've known for a long time. This is the player that I always envisioned him being and thought he could be. ... This is kind of what we were hoping we were going to get, and he's doing a heck of a job."
Atkins also posted a game-high 10 tackles against the Aggies, including two tackles for loss. He's had other dominant outings this fall, most notably with four tackles for loss and two sacks in Week 2 against Ball State.
Through five games, Atkins' production has given him top-10 marks in the SEC in tackles, sacks and tackles for loss. To Durkin, Atkins has gotten there because he prepares like he plays.
"Some guys want to be great on Saturday," Durkin said. "He knows you have to be great on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, all throughout the week, in order to be great on Saturday. ... His preparation is awesome. He practices hard. He prepares in the meeting room very well, and he's a hungry player. He wants to prove it, and I think his production really shows with that in mind."
More stats:
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Posted on 10/22/25 at 5:47 am to jangalang
I totally forgot about riddick, is he even getting on the field
Posted on 10/22/25 at 6:33 am to CorchJay
What has happened to Riddick. He has been so quiet this year I had to check to make sure he didnt transfer
Posted on 10/22/25 at 12:22 pm to FahQGump
quote:
What has happened to Riddick.
Looks like that WLB position has rotated pretty heavily with Woodyard and Riddick splitting snaps pretty evenly (at least over the past 2 games that I looked at). Atkins has played about double the snaps so he is obviously THE guy at MLB.
Atkins has earned all those snaps. He is the man on defense.
Posted on 10/22/25 at 1:47 pm to jangalang
If the offensive side of the ball could evaluate as well as the Defense, we'd all be having a better season...
Posted on 10/25/25 at 1:49 pm to jangalang
Bump.
This man is great.
This man is great.
Posted on 10/25/25 at 2:34 pm to jangalang
Bump for forced fumble right after taking the lead.
Posted on 10/25/25 at 2:35 pm to IAmNERD
Send me his cashapp
Posted on 10/25/25 at 2:37 pm to jangalang
You made this thread.
It is the best thread this season.
Atkins is a beast!
It is the best thread this season.
Atkins is a beast!
Posted on 10/25/25 at 2:38 pm to makersmark1
Whoever let him walk from LSU was crazy
Posted on 10/25/25 at 2:51 pm to jangalang
quote:
What dummy let this stud sophomore walk away?
LSU just had to save that roster spot for the third Weeks brother
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