Auburn LB Xavier Atkins dismissed from program
247Sports • • sports
Key Points:
- Auburn linebacker Xavier Atkins, a preseason All-American, has been dismissed from the team just five games into his second year after being suspended for undisclosed reasons last week.
- Atkins, a former LSU transfer, had an impressive previous season with 84 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and nine sacks, and this year recorded 37 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss in five games.
- Following Atkins' dismissal, linebacker Elijah Melendez and Bryce Deas stepped up, with Melendez contributing nine tackles and a sack in Auburn's recent 27-24 win over Georgia.
- Auburn coach Alex Golesh had kept Atkins' status uncertain until the dismissal was confirmed late Monday night.
- Auburn will face No. 18 LSU at home this weekend, looking to continue their strong defensive performance without Atkins.
