5-Star LB Xavier Griffin Back on the Market – Alabama is Back in Play

The number one linebacker in the 2026 recruiting class is back on the market following his recent de-commitment from the USC Trojans. Xavier Griffin, a 6-foot-3, 200-pound linebacker from Gainesville, Georgia, is ranked as the No. 8 player in the 2026 recruiting class and the No. 1 linebacker in the country.

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The good news for Alabama: The Crimson Tide is already in a good spot with the five-star prospect.

Christian Robinson, Alabama's outside linebackers' coach, is his primary recruiter, with Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack as the secondary recruiter. Robinson is utilizing connections he made from his time coaching in the SEC. He was a graduate assistant at Georgia from 2013 to 2014, Ole Miss from 2015 to 2016, and Mississippi State in 2017. In 2018, he became the linebackers coach at Florida for three seasons. In 2022, he coached linebackers at Auburn. Robinson is in his second season coaching Alabama's outside linebackers.

Robinson also played for Georgia from 2009 to 2012.

Xavier Griffin will return to Tuscaloosa for the third time in his recruiting cycle, but this time, as an uncommitted prospect. The Tide will up the ante for one of the best players in the country during his visit from June 6-8.

"Growing up as a Bama fan, I'm excited to take this opportunity and have my family along with me," Griffin told Bama247. "I was able to make a dream come true and take my granddaddy to a Bama game this past fall. He has been a Bama fan his whole life and works in Tuscaloosa, but had never been to a game before, so I was blessed to bless him. I have a great relationship with the staff, especially Coach Christian Robinson, and the one thing he has done throughout this whole process is be consistent."

Alabama won't be the only team getting an official visit. Ohio State (May 30), Texas (June 13), and Florida State (June 15) are all on Griffin's schedule for this summer.

While Griffin only played in eight games during his junior season due to injury, he totaled 43 tackles and six sacks. During his sophomore season in 2023, he finished with 54 tackles and 15 sacks.

247 Sports Director of Scouting Andrew Ivins compared Griffin to recent first-round pick Jihaad Campbell when breaking down Griffin's game.

"Multi-faceted defender with a top-flight testing profile that should offer both on- and off-ball linebacker as he can rush the passer and stack against the run while also dropping back into coverage. Lanky and lean at this stage, but should undergo a major physical transformation in the coming years as he’s on the younger side for the grade and equipped with larger features. Fires out of both a two- and three-point stance in the blink of an eye and will get around obstacles with his slick agility and lateral quickness. Possesses true sideline-to-sideline range and will make stops in pursuit with his gap-closing burst. Must keep evolving and developing craft while improving play strength, but projects as a potential impact player in the Big Ten or SEC that can fit into a variety of different schemes with his athletic juice and alignment flex."

If Griffin does choose the Crimson Tide soon, he'd be the second five-star commitment of Alabama's 2026 recruiting class, joining the No. 1 cornerback in the country, Jorden Edmonds (from Marietta, Georgia).

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.