Xavier Griffin

Griffin was born in Cullman, Alabama.^[1] He attended Gainesville High School where he played football as a linebacker.^[2] He was also an all-region performer in basketball.^[3] As a sophomore in football, Griffin posted 54 tackles and 15 sacks.^[4] He then was named first-team all-state by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2024 despite missing several games due to injury.^[3] He finished his junior season with 43 tackles, 13 tackles-for-loss and six sacks, with his 43 tackles placing third on the team.^[1] As a senior in 2025, Griffin recorded 78 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss and four sacks.^[5] He was invited to the All-American Bowl at the conclusion of his high school career.^[6]

A five-star recruit, Griffin was ranked the number one linebacker and a top-20 prospect nationally in the class of 2026.^[7] He initially committed to play college football for the USC Trojans before later decommitting.^[2] He later committed to play for the Alabama Crimson Tide and signed with them in December 2025.^[8]