Alabama football continues to build momentum on the recruiting trail heading into the summer. They got more potential good news on Wednesday.
5-star LB Xavier Griffin, the No. 8 overall player in the 2026 class according to 247, announced his decommitment from USC on Wednesday, according to On3's Hayes Fawcett. Griffin immediately locked in four official visits in the aftermath, with Alabama landing one on the weekend of June 6th.
NEWS: Five-Star LB Xavier Griffin has locked in 4 Official Visits 👀
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 14, 2025
His schedule is as follows:
• Ohio State - May 30
• Alabama - June 6
• Texas - June 13
• Florida State - June 15
The No. 2 LB in the ‘26 Class decommitted from USC moments agohttps://t.co/lpmmbnDvOy pic.twitter.com/wfv44qvzhE
Ohio State, Texas, and Florida State will all be stiff competition for Griffin's services, but this coaching staff has proven they can go head-to-head against any program in the country and land elite talent.
The Gainesville, Georgia native has been a major priority target for Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama coaching staff. Griffin committed to the Trojans in June of last year but has decided to open up his recruitment.
247's player comp of Griffin is music to the ears of Alabama fans. Andrew Ivins writes that Griffin reminds him of former Crimson Tide LB and Eagles first-round pick Jihaad Campbell.
Like Campbell, Griffin is a versatile athlete who can be utilized in a variety of ways. He can play on or off-ball LB at the next level.
Alabama has a big need for LBs in the 2026 class
Alabama is in play for several major targets at the LB position. Along with Griffin, the Tide is one of the finalists for Ohio LB Cincere Johnson.
Even after signing a four-man class of linebackers in the 2025 cycle, Alabama stands to have a major need at LB for 2026 and can pitch guys like Griffin and Johnson on the potential for early playing time.
Alabama's top three on-ball linebackers - Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, and Nikhai Hill-Green - are all entering their final year of eligibility. Alabama will have starting spots up for grabs at both the Sting and Mike positions in Kane Wommack's defense in 2026.
Playing time and Wommack's system allowing linebackers to get downhill and make plays makes the Crimson Tide a desirable landing spot for the elite linebackers across the nation.
DeBoer and company will hope to lock down Griffin on his official visit in June and keep him from taking the scheduled visits to Texas and Florida State.