AUBURN — Through five games, Auburn football 's leading tackler has a six-stop margin in that mark. He's also tied for the lead in tackles for loss, is one of two Tigers with more than two sacks and has at least one interception and forced fumble.

It's not Keldric Faulk , who's widely regarded at the program's top NFL draft prospect, nor is it some seasoned veteran. It's linebacker Xavier Atkins , a sophomore transfer who came to Auburn from LSU this offseason and played all of 34 snaps a season ago.

Atkins put the Tigers in position late against Texas A&M on Saturday, Sept. 29, with a pick and subsequent 72-yard return, setting up Auburn's only touchdown in the eventual 16-10 defeat . But he's also stuffed the stat sheet through five weeks.

On Tiger Talk on Monday, Sept. 29,

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