Five-Star Linebacker From Georgia Commits to Alabama

The Crimson Tide added another major prospect on the recruiting trail on Sunday.

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After adding five-star running back Ezavier Crowell and four-star tight end Mack Sutter on Thursday, Alabama added its first linebacker for the 2026 recruiting class in Tuscaloosa native Zay Hall on Friday. After a one-day hiatus, the Crimson Tide added a five-star to the linebacker room.

According to Hayes Fawcett of On3 Sports, five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin has committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Griffin chose the Crimson Tide over the Texas Longhorns and his home-state team, the Georgia Bulldogs.

Griffin's commitment was a long time in the making. He originally committed to the USC Trojans in July 2024, but de-committed from USC in May 2025. After his de-commitment, several experts jumped on Alabama, led by outside linebackers coach Christian Robinson, as the favorite to land the five-star prospect from Gainesville, Georgia.

An official visit on June 6 to Alabama cemented the Crimson Tide's chances with the Alabama native, although Griffin visited Texas on June 13, with the Longhorns giving Alabama a run for their money for one of the top prospects in the 2026 recruiting class.

Griffin stands at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds, with a similar skillset to the Tide's most recent first-round pick in the NFL draft: Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell.

Ranked as the No. 27 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class and the No. 3 player in the state of Georgia, Griffin played in just eight games as a junior due to injury. Even still, he racked up 43 tackles and six sacks in 2024.

Griffin's commitment gives Alabama two of the top three players from the Peach State, and he is the third five-star prospect to commit to Alabama as a member of the 2026 recruiting class. According to the 247 Sports Class Calculator, Griffin's commitment now gives Alabama the No. 8 overall recruiting class in the 2026 cycle.

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_.