Alabama has been one of the teams being the most aggressive in pursuit of 5-star Georgia LB Xavier Griffin. Outside Linebackers coach Christian Robinson has been hot on his heels and the Tide visited Griffin twice in the last couple of weeks.
Yesterday, Griffin announced he had decommitted from USC after pledging to them a year ago. He also announced an official visit schedule that included a trip to Tuscaloosa on the weekend of June 6th. He will also take official visits to Ohio State, Texas, and Florida State.
The Gainesville, Georgia product has long been one of Alabama's top overall targets. The work they've put in on him while he was committed to USC looks to be ready to pay off. Less than 24 hours after his decommitment, one expert has already logged a Crystal Ball prediction for Griffin to land in Tuscaloosa.
Georgia 247 writer Benjamin Wolk logged the prediction early Thursday morning. You would figure that Wolk, as a Georgia recruiting insider, would be pretty plugged into the Georgia high school football scene with reliable sources in Griffin's camp.
A lot can still change, obviously, as Griffin is planning on taking an official visit to Ohio State before he arrives in Tuscaloosa in early June. The goal for Kalen DeBoer and the staff will be to lock Griffin down during his OV and hope he cancels the visits he has planned to Texas and Florida State after leaving Tuscaloosa.
Xavier Griffin could be a Jihaad Campbell clone in Alabama's system
It certainly doesn't hurt Alabama's chances to land Griffin when the guy 247 has compared him to, former Tide LB Jihaad Campbell, just got drafted in the 1st Round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Alabama has recruited Griffin as a Wolf in Kane Wommack's defensive system, but he projects as being able to play inside or outside, much like Campbell. Campbell was considered an OLB coming out of high school, but moved inside because of the depth Alabama had on the outside when he arrived at the Capstone.
Last year, Campbell spent time both inside and outside, with Wommack taking advantage of his pass-rushing skills.
I imagine that's the type of pitch the Alabama staff has made to Griffin. Maybe he starts as a Wolf, but he could easily transition to the inside and play either Mike or Sting, too.
His recruitment isn't over. but Alabama has a lot of momentum for the 5-star LB.