Earning snaps as a freshman on a defense as loaded as Alabama's won't be easy, but former 5-star recruit Xavier Griffin appears set to do just that. He's put his head down and just worked since enrolling for the spring semester, and that work has him in position to carve out a legitimate role in year one with the Crimson Tide.
It's not just his coaches who have taken notice, though Kane Wommack's comments on Griffin after practice on Tuesday were eye-opening. Griffin is also impressing his veteran teammates.
One of those veterans is Virginia Tech transfer Caleb Woodson, who has immediately become one of the leaders of the defense and is projected to serve as Alabama's "green dot" linebacker at the Mike position.
Woodson spoke highly of Griffin when talking with the media on Wednesday.
"He comes and works. He comes to me; he comes to the older guys for advice and stuff," Woodson said, via On3's Blake Byler. "He’s way above his level. He just got here as a freshman, just turned 18, actually. He’s gonna make an impact for us for sure."
Caleb Woodson says freshman LB Xavier Griffin is 'way above his level'
There's little doubt at this point that Griffin is going to play a role as a freshman. The only question is how big of a role he ultimately carves out for himself. His clearest path to snaps is off the edge as a speciality type of edge rusher. It was obvious during spring practice that Griffin could make an impact as a freshman that way, particularly with Alabama needing a complementary rusher alongside Yhonzae Pierre.
But they are preparing Griffin for what his long-term role will be in Tuscaloosa already. Griffin was pitched a Jihaad Campbell-like role in Wommack's defense, and that's exactly what he's practicing for.
In media viewing portions of practice, Griffin has been working with Chuck Morrell and the off-ball linebackers. He'll eventually find a home there, but the path to legitimate snaps at that position will be difficult for a freshman. There's a lot that goes into the mental side of playing linebacker that makes it difficult for a freshman to earn a role.
But during last week's scrimmage, Griffin was lining up on the edge and getting after the quarterback. He's going to do that this season, and he could end up being one of Alabama's most impactful defenders as a result.
Getting more pressure on the QB - and being more aggressive on defense as a whole - has been something Wommack has made a priority this offseason. Guys like Griffin can provide an immediate spark.
But it shows you what they think of Griffin's ceiling that they are already training him on a position he might not get a lot of snaps at this season. With Woodson, Luke Metz, QB Reese, and Abduall Sanders all putting together strong performances in fall camp, the rotation at off-ball LB appears pretty set.
Griffin might eventually throw a wrench into that as the season goes on. He's got the highest ceiling of anyone in the room. Whether or not he earns his way onto the field in that role or not, it becomes increasingly clearer with every passing day that the former 5-star isn't going to be sitting on the bench in 2026.
He's going to play, and he's going to make an impact.
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