When Xavier Atkins finished his sophomore season at Jonesboro-Hodge High School, where he set a new school record and led the state with an incredible 219 tackles, many thought he was the best high school linebacker in Louisiana.

Now, as a junior at Auburn University, he is considered to be the best college linebacker in the nation.

That is not just an opinion by local or university fans but by the prestigious Pro Football Network, which this past week ranked the top collegiate linebackers in the nation and gave Atkins the top billing with a 95.0 mark, a full 1.60 points better than second-place TJ Dottery of LSU.

In five games, Atkins, who was voted Defensive Player of the Game for his 8 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, and one sack effort against Vanderbilt, has recorded 37 tackles in five games, including 7.5 tackles for a loss and three sacks, as well as making an interception and 3 quarterback hits