AUBURN, Ala.— Junior linebacker Xavier Atkins led a group of three Auburn football student-athletes named to the Preseason All-SEC Team, announced Friday by the Southeastern Conference.
Atkins was named a first-team selection by a vote of the league’s media at this week’s SEC Media Days in Tampa, Florida.
Also receiving preseason All-SEC nods were senior kicker Alex McPherson and senior defensive back Champ Anthony. Both were named to their respective third team.
Atkins was a second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC pick in 2025 after a stellar debut season at Auburn. He led the Tigers with 84 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks. His 17.0 TFL were the most in the SEC and the third-most in Auburn single-season history.
McPherson bounced back from illness that sidelined him for nearly the entire 2024 season to post a strong 2025 campaign. He was 20-of-23 on field goal tries and a perfect 35-for-35 on extra point attempts. His 20 field goals made were fourth-most in the SEC and tied for fifth-most in a single-season at Auburn. McPherson enters the 2026 season with an 88.9 career field goal percentage, the highest in Auburn history.
Anthony has battled leg injuries the last two seasons but has been a consistent presence in the Tigers’ defensive backfield when healthy. Last season, he played in seven games and made 13 tackles on the year. His leadership on and off the field led to his being named a team captain.
The league’s media picked Auburn to finish 12th in the 16-team league.