Auburn Dismisses Linebacker Xavier Atkins After Georgia Win

Auburn has dismissed linebacker Xavier Atkins following his suspension for the Tigers' 27-24 victory over No. 1 Georgia in Athens, according to sources who spoke to ESPN on Monday night. The decision ends the tenure of one of Auburn's most productive defensive players, whose future with the program had remained uncertain after he missed the high-profile matchup. Atkins, a first-team All-SEC selection in 2025, was suspended by Auburn coach Alex Golesh the previous Monday.

ESPN reported that the program did not disclose the reason for the disciplinary action, while Golesh indicated the matter would be handled internally. Earlier Monday, Golesh had not confirmed whether Atkins would remain with the team. Speaking to reporters, the coach said Auburn was "still working through it."

Atkins entered the 2026 season as one of the Tigers' leading returning players after a standout 2025 campaign. He led the SEC with 17 tackles for loss and paced Auburn with 84 tackles and nine sacks, according to his previous season's statistics.

His production also earned him a place on the SEC preseason team selected by the conference's coaches ahead of the 2026 season. The linebacker had established himself as a key contributor to Auburn's defense before the suspension interrupted his campaign. Atkins started four games during the 2026 season, recording 37 tackles, three sacks and one interception, according to ESPN. His departure removes an experienced defensive player from Auburn's roster after the team secured its victory over the nation's top-ranked program.

Atkins began his college career at LSU before transferring to Auburn. He remained with the Tigers through the coaching transition from Hugh Freeze to Golesh between 2025 and 2026. Now in his third year of college football, Atkins would be eligible for the NFL draft if he chooses to leave school, ESPN reported. The circumstances surrounding his dismissal were not disclosed in the report.