Five-Star Linebacker Signs with Alabama

Alabama's highest-rated prospect in the 2026 recruiting class had made his commitment to the Crimson Tide official on Early Signing Day, with five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin putting pen to paper and signing with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

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Griffin, a 6-foot-3, 205-pound edge rusher from Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Georgia, is ranked as the Crimson Tide's highest overall recruit in the 2026 class, ranking as the No. 13 overall player, the No. 1 edge rusher, and the No. 1 player in Georgia. He committed to Alabama on June 29, 2025.

During eight games of his junior season in 2024, Griffin totaled 43 tackles and six sacks, despite missing time with an injury. Griffin shut down his recruitment before his senior season, telling Andrew Bone of On3 Sports and Rivals, "I'm all 'Bama the rest of my life."

Griffin's comparison is that of a recent first-round linebacker from Alabama in Jihaad Campbell, with Andrew Ivins of 247 Sports calling Griffin a "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."

Campbell, a first-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025 NFL draft, was used as both an edge rusher and an inside linebacker during his time with the Crimson Tide, shining in his third year at Alabama before declaring for the NFL draft. If Griffin has the same career as Campbell, Alabama fans will be extremely happy seeing him suit up in Crimson.

Want to keep up with all of Alabama's signees in the 2026 recruiting class?

Check out our 2026 Early Signing Day tracker here!

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_.