USC Trojans 4-Star Commit Xavier Griffin Visits Florida State: Potential Flip?

USC Trojans class of 2026 commit linebacker Xavier Griffin spent the past weekend visiting Florida State and is set to go to Tennessee later this week. Where do the Trojans now stand in the recruiting process?
Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Texas A&M Aggies in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Dec 27, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley reacts against the Texas A&M Aggies in the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

USC Trojans class of 2026 commit Xavier Griffin isn’t closing the door on other schools just yet. Griffin, the No. 1 linebacker in the class of 2026, paid visit to Florida State over the weekend. 

Griffin spoke with On3 about his relationships with the schools that are pursuing him.

Xavier Griffin Visits Florida State 

Oct 26, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell watches from the sideline against
Oct 26, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell watches from the sideline against the Miami Hurricanes during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Xavier Griffin posted across his social media that he spent time at Florida State this past weekend for a junior day visit. He met with Seminoles coach Mike Norvell while he was there. Griffin is also scheduled to visit the Tennessee Volunteers in the coming days. 

Griffin has been committed to USC since July of 2024, but there is still a lot of time between now and national signing day. He spoke to On3’s Chad Simmons earlier this month about where he is at when it comes to the recruiting process. 

“I’m in a constant communication with both coaching staffs (Florida State and Tennessee), so it speaks a lot that regardlesss of being locked in (with USC) they are still building that organic relationship with me and my mom,” Griffin said. 

As for USC, Griffin remains committed to what coach Lincoln Riley is building. 

“The biggest things that keep me committed to USC are the great coaches, the development, the fan base, and LA,” Griffin said.

Something of note regarding the USC coaching staff is that the Trojans just hired former NFL coaching veteran Rob Ryan as the linebackers coach. It will be interesting to see if that ends up playing a factor for Griffin in his final decision.

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Xavier Griffin Player Profile

Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley leaves the field after the g
Nov 30, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans head coach Lincoln Riley leaves the field after the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at United Airlines Field at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Xavier Griffin is a 6-3, 200-pound linebacker out of Gainesville, Georgia. Griffin is rated as a four-star prospect and ranked as the No. 1 linebacker in the class of 2026. Director of scouting for 247Sports Andrews Ivins had this to say about him.

"Multi-faceted defender with a top-flight testing profile that should offer both on- and off-ball linebacker as he can rush the passer and stack against the run while also dropping back into coverage," Ivins said. "Lanky and lean at this stage, but should undergo a major physical transformation in the coming years as he's on the younger side for the grade and equipped with larger features."

In just eight games during his junior season of high school in 2024, Griffin racked up 43 tackles and six sacks. A trait that stands out to Ivins is Griffin's quickness.

"Fires out of both a two- and three-point stance in the blink of an eye and will get around obstacles with his slick agility and latera quickness," Ivins said.

Ivins compares Griffin to Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Jihaad Campbell. Campbell is currently viewed as a late first round to early second round prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Cory Pappas
CORY PAPPAS

Cory Pappas is sports writer for USC Trojans On SI and Oregon Ducks On SI. Since starting in March of 2024, he has been writing breaking news stories, game previews, game recaps, and more across College Sports, the NFL, MLB, NBA, and Olympics for Total Apex Sports. In addition to writing, Cory is also a sports data scout for Sportradar. He covers live sporting events ranging from college athletics to semi-pro and professional. Before joining the industry, Cory graduated from the University of Oregon in 2022. He ran track for Oregon's club Track and Field team. Before Oregon, he played varsity basketball and track and field in high school in Walnut Creek, CA. Cory is using his lifelong passion for sports and writing together.