Alabama football appears to be in a good position for 5-star LB Xavier Griffin, who recently decommitted from a long-standing pledge with USC. The Crimson Tide quickly landed a Crystal Ball pick from a Georgia recruiting writer and lined up an official visit with Griffin for the weekend of June 6th.
More good news on the recruiting front with Griffin came on Friday. While the in-state Georgia Bulldogs weren't one of the four teams Griffin announced he would take an official visit to, he was expected to be in Athens this weekend for a visit nonetheless. That plan has changed:
Griffin is a consensus 5-star LB in the 2026 class and is ranked as the No. 2 LB and the No. 27 overall player in the 247 composite rankings. Griffin has landed comps to former Alabama LB and recent first-round draft pick Jihaad Campbell. It's no wonder he has become a major priority for the Crimson Tide.
Alabama is recruiting Griffin as a Wolf in Kane Wommack's defense. But, like Campbell, he could start his career on the outside and then move to one of the inside linebacker roles. I'm sure the pitch to Griffin is being utilized in a Campbell-like role.
Campbell played inside on standard downs, and as the season wore on and injuries piled up for Alabama, he would shift to an on-ball spot on passing downs because he was the most gifted pass rusher on the team.
Kalen DeBoer and staff have made major in-roads in Georgia
Alabama already has a commitment from 5-star CB Jorden Edmonds from Marietta, Georgia. Per 247, he's the No. 2 player in the state for 2026. Griffin is No. 1. At least from 247's perspective, it's possible that DeBoer and staff come in and take the top two players from the state of Georgia right out from under Kirby Smart's nose.
Georgia leads for 5-star LB Tyler Atkinson, but he's another player that the Crimson Tide has been very involved with and will factor into his decision making.
The state of Alabama has been a major focal point for this staff in the 2026 class. But you can never ignore the neighbors to the east as there's always a ton of talent coming out of the state of Georgia each year and it has long been a pipeline state for the Crimson Tide.
Nick Saban won many recruiting battles in Georgia over Smart and his staff over the years. It looks like DeBoer is filling those particular shoes nicely.