Auburn dismisses star LB Xavier Atkins after Georgia suspension

37 tackles and 3 sacks in five games this fall

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read

What happened: Auburn ended Atkins' time with the program Monday night per ESPN's Pete Thamel. The junior sat out Saturday's 27-24 upset of No. 1 Georgia in Athens after a suspension for a disciplinary issue.

Why it matters: Atkins ranked second on Auburn with 7.5 tackles for loss, fifth in the SEC, alongside three sacks and an interception. Melendez and Bryce Deas combined for 17 tackles against Georgia, holding the Bulldogs to 113 rushing yards. His exit thins the rotation before Saturday's home game against No. 18 LSU, his former school.

By the numbers: Atkins: 37 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 interception in five games. 2025 All-America season: 84 tackles, 17 tackles for loss to lead the SEC, 9 sacks. Auburn is 4-2; defense logged a season-low seven missed tackles against Georgia.

What to watch: Auburn hosts No. 18 LSU at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday. Melendez, Deas and Demarcus Riddick are in line for expanded linebacker snaps.

Sources

Yahoo CFB 2026-10-20T05:54:48.592524+00:00

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