More Thoughts On Xavier Atkins Dismissed From Auburn Football Team

Podcast: Locked On Auburn - Daily Podcast On Auburn Tigers Football & Basketball · Locked On Podcast Network, Zac Blackerby

Opublikowano: 2026-10-21

Auburn Tigers face a seismic shift as preseason All-American linebacker Xavier Atkins is dismissed, shaking up the heart of the defense ahead of their crucial showdown with LSU. Was this a necessary move for team culture, or does it leave Auburn dangerously thin at linebacker? Zac Blackerby and Darrell Dapprich break down the warning signs—Atkins’ absence from SEC Media Days and missed starts—and reveal how player leadership influenced Coach Alex Golesh’s tough decision. Key topics include Elijah Melendez’s rise as Auburn’s defensive anchor, DeMarcus Riddick’s emergence amid depth concerns, and how Atkins’ progre...