Xavier Atkins Led the SEC With 17 Tackles For Loss, and He’s Still ‘Keeping His Head Down’

Auburn linebacker Xavier Atkins quickly made a name for himself last season, dominating the SEC to lead the conference in tackles for loss. Now, as Auburn’s preseason camp kicks off, Atkins is on everyone’s radar, landing on multiple preseason watchlists and All-America teams after that monster 2025 campaign. But don’t think for a second the hype is getting to this dude’s head. He’s locked in.

“Focused” Is the Only Word That Matters

When Atkins finally spoke to the media on Wednesday, he was totally unbothered by all the preseason buzz. This isn’t some fresh face who hasn’t seen the big stage; last season was his first as an Auburn Tiger after transferring from LSU, and he ripped off an impressive 17 tackles for loss. That kind of production gets you noticed, obviously, but Atkins sounds like he’s built different. He knows the real work starts now.

He even said it straight up: “When I came in last year, I did not have preseason accolades or anything like that, so I’m just keeping my head down.” He’s happy to be on the national radar, no doubt, but he’s not letting it distract him from the goal. “We all know awards aren’t won in the preseason; it’s what you do in the season to get what you want to get. That’s why I always try to keep my even keel level down, like, just being where my feet are. But it is a great thing, though.” That’s the kind of mindset you want from your playmakers.

The Big Goals For 2026 Are Clear

It’s not just the first-team Preseason All-SEC nod either. Recognition from the Walter Camp Award and the Bronko Nagurski Award proves Atkins will have even more eyes on him this season. But for Atkins, it’s not just about individual glory. While earning a postseason award and boosting his NFL draft stock are definitely on his mind, he’s also committed to being a critical piece in getting Auburn to a winning record and a postseason contest appearance.

Preseason camp is underway, and it sounds like Atkins is exactly where he needs to be mentally: ready to grind. With that level of focus and a drive to lead his team, Auburn fans should be absolutely buzzing about what’s coming next. This isn’t a guy content with preseason hype; he’s chasing real hardware.

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Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.