Big Ten competitor revealed to be welcoming uncommitted 5-star player
Recap: Star Linebacker Xavier Griffin Dumps USC, Hits the Recruitment Trail Again
The top-rated recruiting class of the University of Southern California (USC) football team took a massive blow when star linebacker Xavier Griffin, a five-star prospect, decided to decommit from the Trojans. Griffin, from Carrollton, Georgia, is now set to visit potential suitors, starting with the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus.
The Buckeyes, 2024 national champions, will have the advantage of hosting Griffin early in his renewed recruiting process. Moreover, Ohio State will get to showcase their upcoming matchups with USC—a home game in 2027 and a road game in 2026 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
However, the Buckeyes face stiff competition from Alabama, Texas, and Florida State, with each program keen on courting Griffin. Alabama hosts Griffin on June 6, Texas rolls out the red carpet for him the following week, and he visits Florida State shortly after Texas.
Divulging the Motivation Behind Griffin's Move
Griffin's decision to depart from USC comes after a series of unusual circumstances. An insider for 247Sports, Tom Loy, shed light on the factors that led to the decommitment. Loy disclosed that Griffin's visits to other schools and interactions with coaches didn't sit well with the USC coaching staff.
Apparently, Griffin had discussions with other coaches and sought other college football opportunities, which seemed to be at odds with USC's strict commitment policy. With both parties agreeing that it was best to part ways, Griffin gained the freedom to explore other opportunities.
Griffin, the top-ranked linebacker and the top Georgia prospect, left USC still clinging onto its top ranking for the 2026 class. But the Buckeyes now get the first opportunity to convince him to jump ship.
Insight: Some college football programs, like Clemson and USC, maintain strict policies against committed players making official visits to other schools. However, this policy is not universally followed, and some prospects favor programs that offer more flexibility in the recruitment process.
- The rumors of Xavier Griffin visiting potential suitors, such as Ohio State, Alabama, Texas, and Florida State, have introduced a new twist to the college football draft, as Griffin seeks a more flexible environment for his recruitment process.
- Amidst the NCAA football season, the draft has become a hot topic, with American-football experts and fans discussing the implications of Griffin's decision to re-enter the recruitment process after leaving USC.
- The Ohio State Buckeyes, 2024 national champions, are utilizing the unique opportunity to host Griffin, a top-ranked linebacker, in an attempt to sway him from USC and potentially strengthen their college football team.
