Xavier Atkins LB Auburn |
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| Jersey: #17 PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 11/03/2026 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2027 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FORTY time: 4.45 seconds (97%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jersey: #17 | |
| PLAY STYLE: MULI-ROLE LB | |
| Last Updated: 11/03/2026 | |
| Draft Year: 2027 | |
| Forty time: 4.45 seconds (97%*) | |
| Overall Rating: |
84.5 / 100
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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74% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| Tackling: |
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61% |
| Pass Rush: |
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97% |
| Run Defense: |
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70% |
| Coverage: |
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67% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
4th
Overall Rank:
#117
Position rank:
#15 (LB)
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| College Games: 22 College Snaps: 1078 | ||
ESPN RATING: 80/100
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247 RATING: 89/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Harold Perkins Jr. - LSU |
|
64% |
| Jordan Magee - Temple |
|
63% |
| Micah McFadden - Indiana |
|
62% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Xavier Atkins played three years at Jonesboro-Hodge High School in Louisiana before finishing at Summer Creek High School in Humble, Texas, where he made 102 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions in his senior season, and he was a Mr. Texas Football finalist. He committed to Missouri before flipping to LSU, and On3 rated him a four-star recruit.Atkins played in seven games at LSU in 2024, making three tackles, before transferring to Auburn. He broke out in 2025, making 84 tackles, leading the SEC with 17 tackles for loss, forcing two fumbles and intercepting a pass in the fourth quarter of a 16-10 loss at Texas A&M. He was a first-team All-SEC pick, an FWAA All-American and a second-team All-American by the Walter Camp Foundation, Auburn's first All-American since Derrick Brown in 2019 and its first All-American linebacker since Karlos Dansby in 2003. He announced in December 2025 that he would return, saying he loved it at Auburn and felt it was home.
Atkins had 37 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception, in the loss at Tennessee, in five games in 2026. Alex Golesh then announced that he was suspended for the game against No. 1 Georgia, which Auburn won, for reasons kept in-house, and on 14 October said Atkins was not currently with the team. On 19 October, Atkins posted that he was no longer with the program, citing his health, his family and finishing the semester, and said he would enter the transfer portal at the appropriate time.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Rare speed for a linebacker, with one of the best forty times in the class
- Led the SEC with 17 tackles for loss in 2025
- Named an FWAA All-American and first-team All-SEC in 2025
- Explosive blitzer, with 19 pressures in five games this season
- Makes plays all over the field, with two forced fumbles in 2025
- Strong run defender for his size, with 51 run stops in 2025
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Left Auburn in October after a suspension, with no reason given
- Very light frame for a linebacker, so blockers can wall him off
- Missed 10 tackles in five games this season and 13 in 2025
- Allowed 27 catches on 37 targets in 2025
Scouting Report: Summary
Atkins is one of the most explosive linebackers in the class. He has rare speed, beats blockers to the spot and was one of the most disruptive defenders in the SEC in 2025, leading the conference with 17 tackles for loss and making 84 tackles, two forced fumbles and a fourth-quarter interception at Texas A&M. He was an FWAA All-American and a first-team All-SEC pick, Auburn's first All-American linebacker since Karlos Dansby in 2003. He also generated 25 pressures as a blitzer in 2025.He picked up where he left off in 2026. He had 37 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and an interception in five games, and he generated 19 pressures as a blitzer. His production at Auburn came after he made only three tackles at LSU in 2024, so his growth in two seasons has been remarkable, and his 51 run stops in 2025 show he can make plays against the run despite his size.
However, his departure from Auburn is the main question for NFL teams. He was suspended for the Georgia game for reasons kept in-house, Alex Golesh then said he was not with the team, and Atkins announced that he had left the program, citing his health, his family and finishing the semester. Teams will investigate those circumstances closely. On the field, his frame is very light for a linebacker, so blockers can wall him off, and he has missed 10 tackles in five games after 13 in 2025.
Overall, Atkins has the speed and production of a much higher pick, but his size and his exit from Auburn create real uncertainty. He projects as a fourth-round linebacker with the ceiling of a starting weakside linebacker and blitzer and the floor of a sub-package and special teams player. His interviews with teams and his eligibility plans will shape his range more than his tape.
How other scouting services rate Xavier Atkins (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
86.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
15.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.