Recruiting: 2024 linebacker Xavier Atkins re-commits to LSU

LSU’s back-and-forth recruitment of linebacker Xavier Atkins has taken yet another turn, this time in favor of the Tigers.

The product of Summer Creek High School in Humble, Texas is an LSU commitment once more.

Originally pledged to Missouri on February 19, 2022, Atkins withdrew that pledge on July 4 that year. The very next day, he gave his verbal to LSU. That commitment lasted over a year but he backed away July 30.

LSU assistants Matt House and Sherman Wilson locked up the re-commitment. Atkins becomes the 24th member of the current class and third linebacker in the group. Texas A&M put on a charge and felt confident that they had him.

The 6-foot, 215-pound Atkins runs track, so he has outstanding speed including a 23.21 best in the 200-meters. He is the 45th rated linebacker in this class nationally. Although he is now in Texas, he played at Jonesboro-Hodge in Louisiana during the 2021 campaign, helping his team reach the 2A state semifinals.

Atkins is capable of dropping into coverage, races across the field and delivers big hits on ball carriers. At times he can line up deep almost as a safety, only to close quickly and challenge the run.