5-star Alabama football commit will actually play 2 positions for the Tide in 2026

Xavier Griffin is the highest-rated player in Alabama’s No. 4-ranked 2026 recruiting class, and though he’s not Travis Hunter, playing on both sides of the ball, the Crimson Tide will be getting plenty of bang for their buck with the five-star's ability to fill multiple roles on defense. 

Throughout Griffin’s recruitment, he has been listed as an edge rusher and an off-ball linebacker by different outlets because he’s so effective at both positions. It was unclear which spot Griffin would fill for Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack until a recent interview with Justin Smith of Touchdown Alabama, when Griffin revealed that he’ll be playing both. 

How Kane Wommack sold Xavier Griffin on Alabama

Beyond the simple revelation that Griffin is going to play both the off-ball linebacker position and Wommack’s “wolf” position, which is a hybrid linebacker role, Griffin also explained how Alabama’s detail in its plan to deploy him was a huge part of why he chose to commit to the Tide. That’s a great sign for Kalen DeBoer and his entire staff. 

Alabama is likely never going to be an NIL powerhouse. The revenue-sharing rules should help the Tide get back to a more level playing field with SEC programs like Texas and Tennessee that have emerged as the biggest spenders, but with so much uncertainty surrounding the pay-for-play rules, the Tide shouldn’t expect clarity anytime soon. 

Still, despite not spending the most on the recruiting trail, Alabama has thrived in its first two cycles under DeBoer. In the past, the Tide got a Saban discount from recruits who wanted to play for the sport’s most storied program and most successful coach, but even after his retirement, Alabama has retained its place in the upper echelon. Potentially, this specificity with which DeBoer and his staff recruit, laying out a clear plan for success as they did with Griffin, is helping bridge the financial gap. 

Other programs are just looking to get talent in the door and to figure it out later. That works when you have the most money to offer, but Alabama often doesn’t have that luxury, at least not for the most highly coveted five-stars like Griffin. So, the Tide need a different approach, and judging from the results and Griffin’s comments, it appears they’ve found it. 

Specifically to Griffin’s case, Jihaad Campbell’s development may have also swayed him towards Tuscaloosa. A former five-star edge rusher, Wommack aided in Campbell’s transition to off-ball linebacker, where he thrived and became a first-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. Griffin has a similar skill set and could follow in Campbell’s footsteps with Wommack as his guide.