When you look at the Auburn Tigers heading into their 2026 campaign, a few things stick out in terms of what things need to happen and who sticks out for Alex Golesh in his first year.
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After SEC Media Days in Tampa Florida in July, the attending media got an opportunity to submit their ballots for their Preseason All-SEC Team and predictions for the league in the upcoming season.
For the Tigers, three players earned Preseason All-SEC honors, but only one notched a spot on the first team—linebacker Xavier Atkins.
Now entering his second season since transferring from LSU, Atkins led the team in both total tackles and sacks last year, with 84 and nine, respectively.
As a junior leader though, it is his turn to make a difference and continue to impress with the high expectations he has and campaign he put on in 2025.
Why do I say all this? Atkins set the stage for what could be one of the best linebacker rooms in the country, and it is definitely a room that has the chance to drive the team and DJ Durkin’s defense to major success.
On the first day of Auburn’s preseason camp on Aug. 5, Atkins spoke with the media about how team simply will not be able to plan for one linebacker with the room they have, as it leaves room for the other talents like Elijah Melendez, De’Marcus Riddick and Bryce Deas to go put on a show.
“You just can't game plan for one linebacker,” Atkins said. “If you do it, you’ve got two or three other linebackers that you're going to have to game plan for, too. So, it's a competitive edge, for sure, because you got me, De’Marcus, Elijah, Bryce.”
As a true freshman, Melendez had just 29 tackles and two sacks, but recorded two interceptions as well, which were just a couple of the critical plays he made to help the defense out last year.
Riddick and Deas have both shown to have speed and have gotten stronger in the offseason, showcasing their new form in the early stages of preseason camp.
According to Durkin on the day before preseason camp began, having all of them working hard together and putting their talent on the field allows the linebackers to do a number of different things on the defensive unit, helping create havoc.
“They all compete for reps in a game,” Durkin said. “We like to think outside the box on defense. That means a lot of different packages. We could be utilizing dudes and getting several guys on the field at once.”
I’ve seen the way some of these guys can seek out contact on the opposition and lay down a hammer. If last year was any indication, 2026 could be promising.
The natural physicality of the room is something I think stands to be a test in the middle of the field, whether it be used in the pass or run game.They will have a lot on their hands, yes, but their versatility stands to give them a good chance to make an impact at any moment.
For them though, it is just a matter of them leading like I think they need to. They are a central point of command on defense, and they need to be vocal.
“You want (Elijah), Xavier, Bryce, Riddick, that crew to lead in every imaginable way,” said Coach Alex Golesh. “It’s got to come from the middle of your defense. You’re communicating to the guys in the front and the guys in the back and everything goes through you.”
If they do that, then it’s as simple as this—go out and play some ball.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
