CBS Sports’ top-150 list spotlights two Auburn leaders, with “No. 17” singled out

CBS Sports’ preseason top-150 list has put a spotlight on Auburn, naming quarterback Byrum Brown and linebacker Xavier Atkins as the program’s top two players in its ranking framework. In the write-up, CBS Sports also points to the number 17 as especially important for Auburn this season, tying that emphasis directly to Brown and Atkins being the top two names on the Auburn roster within the list’s overall structure.

For Auburn, the messaging matters because it puts two core roles at the center of how the Tigers are expected to function week to week. Brown’s position as quarterback places the program’s offensive identity on his ability to operate in the middle of the field, manage tempo, and handle the responsibilities that come with being the most prominent player on offense.

Atkins, as a linebacker, represents the defensive side of that same equation. Linebackers in modern college football are expected to process both run and pass actions, and to direct coverage and pressure packages. By pairing a leading quarterback with a leading linebacker at the top of Auburn’s internal “top two” ranking, the list effectively highlights Auburn’s belief that both sides of the ball will need high-end production from its most trusted playmakers.

The ranking itself is a media exercise, not an official Auburn assessment, so it should be treated as a snapshot of national perception rather than a guarantee of outcomes. Lists like this often reflect blend factors, including past production and projected roles, but they do not substitute for what happens once games begin.

Still, there is practical value in seeing how Auburn’s most central personnel is framed ahead of the season. When national outlets consistently point to specific players, it tends to influence how opponents game-plan during the early portion of the year, including the areas of the defense that offenses try to test and the parts of the offense that defenses attempt to disrupt.

What to watch next is whether Auburn’s preseason narrative stays aligned with production as the season progresses. If Brown’s play and Atkins’ defensive impact match the expectations implied by their placement on the CBS Sports list, Auburn’s identity will likely remain centered on steady decision-making at quarterback and assertive playmaking on defense. If the opposite occurs, the preseason emphasis will quickly become a baseline that the team has to adjust from.

For fans, the most immediate follow-up is to look for how Auburn’s coaching staff uses Brown and Atkins in defining game plans, including the roles each takes in critical situations. As games begin, the “No. 17” framing becomes less about the ranking and more about whether Auburn can turn those two anchors into repeatable advantages against quality opponents.