Auburn linebacker Xavier Atkins isn't receiving much 2027 NFL Draft hype despite earning preseason First-Team All-SEC honors. With scouts questioning the strength of next year's linebacker class, Atkins has a major opportunity to become one of its biggest risers.
As we prepare to enter the 2026 college football season, many players will have their eyes set on the next level as they raise their stock for next year's NFL Draft.
However, when looking at the current Auburn roster, not many players are receiving the draft hype you would expect, especially from the team's best player, linebacker Xavier Atkins.
In fact, many believe that the linebacker group that will declare for the draft next year is actually seen as one of the weakest in recent years, which sounds like a perfect opportunity for a guy like Xavier Atkins to take advantage of.
Recently, ESPN attempted to ask the question if the 2027 NFL draft class will live up to the hype? Although they seem pretty comfortable on quarterbacks, it's the linebacker room they are concerned about.
"If there's one position where there's room for risers to emerge, it's here, as off-ball linebacker is extremely thin on top-end players entering the season," said Jordan Reid of ESPN.
Xavier Atkins could easily find himself as a riser this upcoming season.
The article didn't mention a single Auburn player. When speaking about the linebacker position, they stated: "Sammy Brown (Clemson) and Rasheem Biles (Texas) have been most frequently mentioned atop the rankings, but neither is a no-brainer first-rounder." All this chatter on other players despite Atkins being named to the preseason 1st-team All-SEC team this past week.
Atkins is in a prime position to exceed expectations this season as he will once again be under DJ Durkin's defensive scheme, something that truly fits his play style. The talent surrounding him, especially with other rising stars such as Elijah Melendez in the linebacker room, should also help him get more exposure and openings on the field.
Heading into Media Days, one of the major concerns regarding the defense was Auburn's interior defensive line, a key component inside Durkin's machine that helps the linebackers play freely, but that narrative of concern has quickly been put to sleep. Almost every single player that was at Media Days for the Tigers was quick to mention multiple defensive linemen who are making an immediate impact this past spring, especially Arkansas State transfer Cody Sigler.
Despite the level of performance Xavier Atkins gives this season, it still might not be good enough for the 2027 linebacker group for the NFL Draft to be seen as one of the best, as it will be compared to this past April's, one that many believe is a historic one.
According to a scout that works for an AFC team, they believe that "Maybe it's just because of the class that we're coming off of, but I just don't see anyone special right now."
That AFC scout better make sure he has his evening clear for when the Auburn Tigers take on the Baylor Bears, and be ready to make a few phone calls to the Plains afterward. As Auburn's quarterback Byrum Brown said at Media Days, Xavier Atkins, "he's different."
