Auburn has moved on from one of its biggest defensive names, dismissing All-American linebacker Xavier Atkins after he was suspended for Saturday’s win over Georgia, according to 247Sports.
Atkins was away from the team last week during game prep and did not travel to Athens. On Monday, Tigers coach Alex Golesh said Atkins’ status was still unresolved and that any discussion of the situation would stay internal.
"And really that'll be the only piece of it that I'll be addressing," Golesh said before Georgia. "But he won't be with us this week for the game on Saturday, won't be available, and then we'll revisit early next week when we meet again here."
By early Tuesday, Atkins had taken to social media to say he plans to enter the transfer portal at the end of the semester. The 2026-27 portal cycle opens Jan. 4, 2027, and remains open for 10 days.
"I have nothing but respect for Auburn University and will continue to support my teammates this season," Atkins wrote. "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 arrived at Auburn as a former LSU transfer and is in his second season with the Tigers. This fall, the junior has totaled 37 tackles and three sacks in five starts. His 2025 season was the breakout one: 84 tackles, a league-leading 17 stops behind the line of scrimmage, and nine sacks while anchoring DJ Durkin’s defense.
Auburn had made a real effort to keep Atkins in place this offseason and built around him by pairing him with Elijah Melendez at linebacker. Now, the Tigers are expected to lean on De'Marcus Riddick, who is back after a shoulder injury that sidelined him last season.
"Demarcus, we've worked really hard as he's come back from the offseason stuff to get him back really, really confident," Golesh said. "And this entire building are all fans of Demarcus Riddick, and we're slowly but surely seeing him get better and better.
And the better is truly more confident coming back. And what he had to go through to even get back is a credit to him and his mental toughness and just him gaining the confidence back.
"But certainly you would imagine his role will continue to increase, which was the plan going in all along in terms of hopefully getting the best version of him."
Atkins’ talent still makes him one of the most notable defensive names expected to be available in the portal, provided he handles the off-field matters and clears the necessary requirements at his next stop.
In Other News...
Georgia Blew A Winnable Home Game In The Most Frustrating Way
Georgia had a home game there for the taking against Auburn, but the kind of mistakes that have a way of haunting a season took over instead. Penalties kept piling up, turnovers blunted momentum, and even with some solid individual efforts the Bulldogs could never fully settle into the rhythm they needed at Sanford Stadium. Craig Dandridge finished with 88 receiving yards, while Raylen Wilson turned in a busy defensive night with 10 solo tackles and a sack.
The frustration only deepened because Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown ran for 115 yards, which outpaced Georgias entire offense and underlined how often the Bulldogs were chasing the game. It was the sixth home loss of Kirby Smarts tenure, another reminder that even at home, Georgia can still beat itself when execution slips at the wrong time. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Suddenly Faces Pressure To Rebound While Keeping Recruiting Momentum
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On the recruiting front, Georgia also picked up some good news with the commitment of Newton County athlete Braylon Miller, a late-blooming prospect who had previously pledged to Liberty. It is the kind of addition that helps soften the sting of a rough Saturday, and it also serves as a reminder that Georgia still has momentum on the trail even while it sorts through the pressure that comes with trying to rebound on the field. [Read more 🡒]
Georgias QB Outlook Just Got More Complicated After Auburn
Gunner Stocktons night at Auburn took an early turn when he was briefly pulled after taking a hit, but he came back soon after and finished the game for Georgia. Kirby Smart said Stockton did not suffer a concussion, though he did deal with a stinger, which at least offered some relief on the injury front as the Bulldogs move on from a tense SEC road test.
The bigger concern now is what came with the rest of that performance. Stockton had three turnovers, the first time in his career he has been charged with that many in one game, and it leaves Georgia with a much more complicated quarterback picture than it had before the trip to Auburn. Even without a serious injury issue, the Bulldogs now have to sort through what the outing means for the offense and for Stockton moving forward. [Read more 🡒]