Auburn defensive coordinator DJ Durkin found a gem in the transfer portal this offseason.
After losing the trio of Eugene Asante, Austin Keys and Dorian Mausi during the offseason, Auburn was depleted of valuable experience in the middle of the defense.
Mixed in with a flurry of new faces, Durkin brought in LSU linebacker transfer Xavier Atkins, and he’s been nothing short of stellar through the Tigers’ first five games.
Leading the team with 29 tackles, Atkins is coming off a career-high 10-tackle performance against Texas A&M. With the Aggies marching downfield to extend their lead to two scores, Atkins hauled in a deflected pass and returned it for 73 yards, leading to the Tigers’ lone touchdown on the ensuing play. It was the first of his career and the longest for an Auburn Tiger defender since 2021.
Atkins recorded just three tackles last season with the Bayou Bengals. But Durkin, who recruited Atkins during his stint as defensive coordinator with the Aggies, expected this high level of play to be displayed by the sophomore linebacker all along.
“Honestly, the way he played in fall camp, this is what we were expecting," Durkin said. "He was lights out, really, really good. I have known Xavier since high school. I recruited him out of high school. I have known him for a long time. This is the player I always envisioned him being and thought he could be. He came in for the spring and through training camp and popped on film. This is what we were hoping we were going to get. He's doing a heck of a job."
Leading a unit that is only allowing 16.4 points per game, which is 18th nationally and the best mark since the 2021 season, Atkins is not just a Saturday football player. He does the work necessary throughout the week in preparation for game days, allowing him to be the speedy, athletic linebacker Durkin wants to see from his squad.
“What I love about Xavier is that he wants to be great,” Durkin said. “He’s hungry to be great. Some guys want to be great on Saturday, and then others understand you’ve got to be great on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and throughout the week in order to be great on Saturday. He’s done a really good job of that. His preparation is awesome. He practices hard. He prepares in the meeting room very well. He’s a hungry player, and he wants to prove it. I think his production really shows.”
With a bye week coming up, Atkins and his Tiger teammates will have one week to prepare for a No. 12 Georgia squad, which boasts a top-40 total offense in the nation. Kickoff time and broadcast options for the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry are TBA.
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