Once a Tiger, always a Tiger! That is the creed that many who went to Jonesboro-Hodge High School proudly carry with them no matter where life’s journey takes them.

For former JHHS gridiron standout, Xavier Atkins, that belief has already been personified through his actions three times. The first and second time, it was when the three time All-Stater, twice as a Jonesboro-Hodge Tiger in 2021 and 2022 and again in 2023 while playing for Summer Creek High School in Humble, TX, signed to play for the Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers in 2024. Now, it is after Atkins entered the NCAA transfer portal in December and then decided to be an Auburn University Tiger for the 2025 season. 

As a prep athlete, Atkins turned in remarkable statistics while helping his two high school football teams to great heights. During his sophomore season at JHHS, “Deebo” helped the Tigers reach the LHSAA Class 2A state semi-finals by recording a school record 218 tackles and 28 tackles for a loss, both which led the state. During his senior season at Summer Creek, Atkins had 102 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles that was instrumental in SCHS earning their first ever berth in the Texas UIL Class  6A Division II state championship game and Atkins being a finalist for the 2024 Mr. Texas Football Award.