Xavier Griffin Decommits from USC: 2026 Recruiting Update
- Xavier Griffin,a highly touted four-star linebacker and a top college football recruit in the 2026 class,has decommitted from USC,according to sources.Griffin,ranked No.
- The 6-foot-4, 205-pound defender from Gainesville, Ga.,is now planning official visits to several major programs.
- Griffin's departure is a significant setback for coach Lincoln Riley's USC Trojans.
Xavier Griffin, a top-rated linebacker and the No. 29 overall recruit in the 2026 ESPN 300, has decommitted from USC, dealing a blow to the Trojans’ top-ranked recruiting class. Griffin, previously committed since July 2024, now plans official visits to Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, and Texas. This pivotal shift showcases the evolving landscape of college football recruiting, with Griffin seeking to explore options beyond USC, potentially impacting the team’s 2026 prospects. With 27 commitments, USC, according to ESPN’s Craig Haubert, still leads the recruiting class. news Directory 3 is following this story closely. Discover what’s next as Griffin makes his final college decision.
Xavier griffin Decommits From USC,Plans Visits
Updated May 14,2025
Xavier Griffin,a highly touted four-star linebacker and a top college football recruit in the 2026 class,has decommitted from USC,according to sources.Griffin,ranked No. 29 overall in the ESPN 300, had been committed to the Trojans since July 2024.
The 6-foot-4, 205-pound defender from Gainesville, Ga.,is now planning official visits to several major programs. Thes include Alabama, Florida State, Georgia, and Texas. his decision reportedly stems from a desire to explore other options, which conflicted with USC’s policy against committed players taking official visits elsewhere.
Griffin’s departure is a significant setback for coach Lincoln Riley’s USC Trojans. The team currently holds the top spot in the 2026 recruiting class rankings.They boast 13 ESPN 300 pledges, more than any other program. Five-star prospects Elbert Hill (No. 15 overall) and Keenyi Pepe (No. 17) recently committed to USC, adding to their impressive haul.
Craig Haubert, ESPN national recruiting analyst, recently ranked USC’s class No. 1 overall. the Trojans have a total of 27 commitments.
During his sophomore and junior years at Gainesville High School, Griffin recorded 97 tackles and 21 sacks. Before his decommitment, he made unofficial visits to Florida State, Tennessee, and Texas this spring.
What’s next
Griffin is expected to schedule his official visits in the coming months. He will then weigh his options before making a final decision on his college destination. The Alabama Crimson Tide, Florida State Seminoles, Georgia Bulldogs, and Texas Longhorns are all vying for the highly sought-after linebacker.