The college football recruiting world has been thrown into a frenzy with the latest twist involving five-star linebacker Xavier Griffin. Once considered a cornerstone of USC’s 2026 recruiting class, Griffin has officially decommitted from the Trojans, opening the door for a fierce battle among top-tier programs—most notably, the Georgia Bulldogs, who are now making a strong push to flip the Peach State native.
Griffin, a standout at Gainesville High School in Georgia, had been committed to USC since July 2024. His decision to back off that pledge has reignited interest from several powerhouse programs, including Ohio State, Alabama, Texas, and Florida. But it’s Georgia, his home-state school, that’s generating the most buzz. The Bulldogs are reportedly hosting Griffin for a visit during their annual recruiting scavenger hunt weekend, a high-profile event designed to showcase the program’s culture, facilities, and future vision [A](https://www.si.com/college/georgia/recruiting/sources-xavier-griffin-to-be-at-georgia-following-decommitment-from-usc-01jva45w8pq2?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY29udmVyc2F0aW9uSWQiOiJCbTZDeXRubUozQ2gzaHgyZUdkOHIiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuc2kuY29tXC9jb2xsZWdlXC9nZW9yZ2lhXC9yZWNydWl0aW5nXC9zb3VyY2VzLXhhdmllci1ncmlmZmluLXRvLWJlLWF0LWdlb3JnaWEtZm9sbG93aW5nLWRlY29tbWl0bWVudC1mcm9tLXVzYy0wMWp2YTQ1dzhwcTIiLCJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tTb3VyY2UiOiJjaXRhdGlvbkxpbmsiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoieDhIRGdWeERNTTV1bTlXd1ZnSlU2In0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
Ranked as the No. 22 overall player in the nation and the second-best linebacker in the 2026 class, Griffin is a game-changer. At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, he combines sideline-to-sideline speed with elite instincts and physicality. His junior season was filled with highlight-reel plays, including multiple pick-sixes, bone-rattling tackles, and a leadership presence that elevated his entire defense. He’s the kind of player who can anchor a defense for years—and every major program knows it.
Georgia’s interest in Griffin is no surprise. The Bulldogs have a history of developing elite linebackers and sending them to the NFL, and Griffin fits the mold perfectly. With Kirby Smart’s departure and Marcus Freeman stepping in as the new head coach, Georgia is looking to make a statement on the recruiting trail. Landing Griffin would not only bolster their 2026 class but also signal that the Bulldogs remain a dominant force in the SEC under new leadership.
Griffin’s decommitment from USC also highlights a broader trend in recruiting: the volatility of early commitments and the growing influence of NIL, coaching changes, and proximity to home. While USC remains a national brand, the pull of playing closer to family and representing his home state could be a deciding factor for Griffin.
Despite the growing momentum for Georgia, the race is far from over. Griffin has official visits lined up with Ohio State, Alabama, Texas, and Florida in the coming weeks. Each of these programs brings its own appeal—Ohio State’s linebacker tradition, Alabama’s championship pedigree, Texas’s resurgence, and Florida’s aggressive recruiting pitch. But Georgia’s ability to get Griffin on campus so soon after his decommitment is a major win and could give them an early edge [A](https://www.si.com/college/georgia/recruiting/sources-xavier-griffin-to-be-at-georgia-following-decommitment-from-usc-01jva45w8pq2?copilot_analytics_metadata=eyJldmVudEluZm9fY2xpY2tEZXN0aW5hdGlvbiI6Imh0dHBzOlwvXC93d3cuc2kuY29tXC9jb2xsZWdlXC9nZW9yZ2lhXC9yZWNydWl0aW5nXC9zb3VyY2VzLXhhdmllci1ncmlmZmluLXRvLWJlLWF0LWdlb3JnaWEtZm9sbG93aW5nLWRlY29tbWl0bWVudC1mcm9tLXVzYy0wMWp2YTQ1dzhwcTIiLCJldmVudEluZm9fbWVzc2FnZUlkIjoieDhIRGdWeERNTTV1bTlXd1ZnSlU2IiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NvbnZlcnNhdGlvbklkIjoiQm02Q3l0bm1KM0NoM2h4MmVHZDhyIiwiZXZlbnRJbmZvX2NsaWNrU291cmNlIjoiY2l0YXRpb25MaW5rIn0%3D&citationMarker=9F742443-6C92-4C44-BF58-8F5A7C53B6F1).
As the summer unfolds, all eyes will be on Griffin’s recruitment. His decision will not only shape the 2026 recruiting landscape but could also shift the balance of power in the SEC and beyond. For now, Georgia is firmly in the mix—and perhaps, just maybe, closing in on flipping one of the nation’s most coveted defensive stars.
