Alex Golesh briefly comments on Xavier Atkins’ dismissal: ‘I’m uber-focused on our team’
By Jacob Moss
Published:
The Auburn Tigers are coming off their biggest win of the Alex Golesh era against No. 1 Georgia, and the most impressive part of that victory is probably that they pulled it off while missing their best player, star linebacker Xavier Atkins.
Golesh suspended Atkins for unspecified reasons, a move that became permanent earlier this week when the program officially announced that the former All-American had been dismissed from the team.
The head man for the Tigers offered a brief comment on the decision to dismiss Atkins from the team Wednesday afternoon, saying he is “uber-focused” on the team and preparing for their upcoming game against LSU.
“I wish X nothing but the best as we move forward,” Golesh said (per Auburn On3’s Justin Hokanson). “I’m like uber, uber-focused on our team and LSU at this point.”
Atkins, who joined the program as a transfer in 2025, had been putting together another dominant campaign prior to his suspension and ultimate dismissal. Through the first 5 games of the 2026 season, he compiled 37 total tackles, 3 sacks, 1 interception, and 7.5 tackles for loss.
It now looks like he will finish out the remainder of the academic semester at Auburn before entering the transfer portal in search of a new home for the 2027 season.
