How many Auburn Tigers are in USA TODAY's top 100 player ranking?
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Auburn football has players on both sides of the ball capable of leading the team to new heights in 2026. Coincidentally, both players wear jersey No. 17.
Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown and linebacker Xavier Atkins have been recognized by national observers this preseason, which has earned them spots on several postseason award watchlists and All-American teams. USA TODAY Sports is another publication to honor the duo by placing them on its Top 100 College Football Players list ahead of the 2026 season. Brown checks in at No. 96 while Atkins, fittingly, is No. 17.
Austin Curtright, who compiled the list for USA TODAY Sports, believes that Brown was one of the best non-Power Four quarterbacks last season after posting a 3,000-yard passing, 1,000-yard rushing season with 42 total scores. However, Curtright believes Brown has plenty to prove as the Tigers' starting quarterback in 2026.
"Brown passed for 3,158 yards with 28 touchdowns to seven interceptions last season, also rushing for 1,008 yards with 14 scores. He threw for 263 yards and a touchdown in an upset win over Florida last season, but has to prove he can get it done in the SEC against a full conference slate," Curtright writes.
Atkins cracks the top 20 at No. 17 after bursting onto the scene with the Auburn Tigers last season. Atkins, a transfer from LSU, led the SEC with 60 solo tackles and 17 tackles for loss, and logged 10-or-more solo tackles in three games last season. This season, more eyes will be on Atkins as he enters the season with three preseason watchlist nods, including one from the Walter Camp Award.
Brown and Atkins will be key players to follow this season as the Auburn Tigers aim to snap a five-season streak of losing seven games and to return to postseason play for the first time since the 2023 season.
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: How many Auburn Tigers are in USA TODAY's top 100 player ranking?
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